Overview
- New reporting says Knight Frank, as well as lettings firm Harvey & Wheeler, told Rachel Reeves's family that a licence would be required before renting their Dulwich home for about £3,200 a month.
- Reeves has acknowledged the failure to obtain the required licence and submitted an application on Friday, with Keir Starmer keeping her in post and his standards adviser finding no evidence of bad faith.
- Emails previously released showed her husband, civil servant Nicholas Joicey, was informed a selective licence was needed, after Reeves initially told the Prime Minister they were unaware of the requirement.
- Conservative figures renewed calls for a full investigation, while Knight Frank said advising clients of legal and regulatory duties when letting a property is standard practice.
- Tenant campaign group Justice for Tenants reported a 26% rise in enquiries about rent repayment orders since the story broke, with possible outcomes including civil penalties up to £30,000 or repayment of up to a year’s rent, which local guidance says can be sought through a tribunal.