Reeves sorry for breaking London housing rental rule

Rachel Reeves has “sincerely” apologised for her “inadvertent error” in failing to obtain a licence when renting out her family home, following reports she broke local housing regulations.

- DAVID LYNCH

The chancellor did not obtain a selective rental licence when she put her south London home up for rent after she moved into No 11 Downing Street, the Daily Mail first reported last night.

Ms Reeves raised the error with the prime minister’s independent ethics adviser and wrote a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, in which she apologised.

After consulting his adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, the PM said further investigation is “not necessary” and said the chancellor’s apology was “sufficient resolution” to the matter.

Southwark Council requires people renting out their properties in certain areas, including where Ms Reeves’s home is, to get one of the licences in advance.

The chancellor is understood to accept she should have obtained the licence, but relied on the advice of a letting agent and was not told it was necessary.

A spokesperson for Ms Reeves said: “Since becoming chancellor Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency.