UK MINISTER FOR HOMELESSNESS UNDER FIRE FOR EVICTING TENANTS AND RAISING RENT

Rushanara Ali, the UK Minister for Public Housing and Homelessness, is facing backlash after an investigation revealed she evicted tenants from her property before relisting it at a significantly higher rent. The practice, while currently legal, directly contradicts new government reforms she is meant to oversee.

A new case is causing embarrassment for Keir Starmer's government in the United Kingdom. Rushanara Ali, the Vice Minister for Public Housing and Homelessness, is accused of evicting tenants from her own property, only to then raise the rent by nearly £700 per month.

While this behavior is perfectly legal under current rules, it stands in direct opposition to the spirit of a new rental reform bill promoted by the same Labour government to protect tenants.

Eviction Followed by a Steep Rent Increase

According to an investigation by i Paper, four tenants of a house owned by the minister, located in east London near her constituency of Bethnal Green and Stepney, were informed last November that their lease would not be renewed because the property was being put up for sale.

The rent was £3,300 per month. After their eviction, however, the house was put back on the rental market for almost £4,000 per month.

A Bill Designed to Prevent This Very Thing

The incident has sparked outrage because Ali is the same minister who publicly promised to end landlord abuses and protect tenants from unjustifiable rent hikes. The new Renters' Rights Bill, strongly backed by the Labour party and set to take effect in 2026, will prohibit landlords from relisting a property at a higher rent for at least six months after a tenant is evicted under similar circumstances.

"Rushanara takes her responsibilities very seriously and has complied with all legal requirements in place," a spokesperson for the minister stated. A source close to Ali claimed the property was put up for sale while the tenants were still living there, and they were offered the chance to stay on an indefinite contract but chose to leave. The property was reportedly put back on the rental market when the sale fell through.

Calls for Resignation Mount

These explanations have not convinced everyone. Senior figures from all major British parties, including some within Labour itself, are now calling for the Vice Minister's resignation. "This is a blatant example of extreme hypocrisy," said James Cleverly, the Conservative Shadow Housing Spokesperson. Kevin Hollinrake, chairman of the Tory party, added, "You cannot say one thing and do the exact opposite. She must resign."

Peter Wishart, Vice President of the Scottish National Party at Westminster, directly targeted the Prime Minister: "This matter is a test for Starmer. He must fire her immediately."

Even within the Labour party, some are furious. Jess Barnard, former Chair of Young Labour, commented, "It's the right time to reiterate that MPs should not be landlords. And landlords should not be Labour MPs." Labour Councillor Martin Abrams wrote, "Unbelievable. Rushanara Ali must resign."

Mairi MacRae, Campaigns Director for the charity Shelter, commented, "It's hard to believe. After months of prevarication, the government’s homelessness minister is profiting from the very tricks the Renters’ Rights Bill is supposed to stamp out."