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Starmer Rules Out Action Over Reeves’ Rental Licence Lapse

An ethics review found no bad faith after emails showed the licence application promised by the letting agent was never filed.

Overview

  • Downing Street published correspondence indicating Harvey & Wheeler told Nicholas Joicey they would apply for a selective licence for the Dulwich property.
  • The agency apologised, citing a staff resignation and its failure to take the application forward, while Reeves accepted overall responsibility.
  • Sir Laurie Magnus advised that the breach was an inadvertent oversight and recommended no further ministerial action, which the Prime Minister accepted.
  • Reeves has now applied for the required licence, but potential enforcement under the Housing Act 2004, including fines or rent repayment orders, remains possible.
  • Conservative figures, including Kemi Badenoch, continue to press for an ethics investigation as No 10 confirms Reeves will deliver the 26 November Budget.