Within both the nation generally and the business community there are serious concerns about the forthcoming budget to be delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26 November 2025 - see, for example, BBC News 28 October 2025. It is likely that an already hard-pressed population will face additional taxation. Taxe rises on business will doubtless be passed on to customers. Public services are likely to face cuts.
It is against this political background that the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves MP - Leeds West and Pudsey) is facing criticism because she did not obtain a selective licence which is required to rent out her property in Dulwich, part of the London Borough of Southwark - BBC News 29 October 2025 and see Southwark Selective Licensing.
Selective Licensing arises under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. The aim of the legislation is to achieve a private rented sector that offers a greater security of tenure and safer, higher quality homes for renters.
Under the Housing Act 2004 section 95, it is an offence not to have a licence where one is required. Section 95 contains some defences. The offence is triable summarily (i.e. in the Magistrates' Court) and punishable with a fine.
Dulwich is not a deprived area and the reported rent charged by Reeves is £3200 per month. London rents are generally high with an average of around £2300 per month (varying by borough) - see HERE.
According to the BBC report (HERE) - "Sources close to the Chancellor said that her letting agent had told her it would advise her if a selective licence was needed and did not do so."
It is also reported that Reeves reported herself to the ethics adviser.
Reeves has apologised for the "inadvertent error" and the Prime Minister, after consulting the independent ethics adviser, seems willing to leave the matter there. That may - or may not - be the end of the matter. A detailed report from the ethics adviser would have been preferable.
The London Borough of Southwark has a Labour controlled council.
Addition 31 October 2025
BBC News 31 October 2025 - Letting agent apologises for 'oversight' on Reeves rental licence
The letting agent which rented out Chancellor Rachel Reeves' family home has apologised for an "oversight" which led to a failure to obtain the correct licence.
Gareth Martin, owner of Harvey & Wheeler, said the company's previous property manager had offered to apply for a "selective" rental licence on behalf of their client - but this never happened as the manager resigned before the tenancy began.
Further addition 31 October 2025
No 10 Downing Street - Letters exchanged between the independent adviser and the Prime Minister and the PM and the Chancellor
No 10 Downing Street - Letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the PM and correspondence between the Chancellor's husband and letting agent
The Independent 31 October 2025 - Reeves is guilty of carelessness and hypocrisy
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