UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has apologised after it emerged that her family home in Dulwich was rented without the mandatory ‘selective’ rental licence. Despite political calls for investigation, officials confirm no further action will be taken as Reeves quickly addressed the procedural oversight amidst ongoing economic challenges.
Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, has apologised after it was revealed that her family home in Dulwich, South London, was rented out without the mandatory “selective” rental licence required by Southwark Council. The property was put on the rental market following the Labour Party’s election victory last summer when Reeves and her family moved into No 11 Downing Street. The issue came to light when it was reported that the licence application had not been submitted, despite the letting agency initially offering to manage this on her behalf.
According to the estate agents involved, Harvey Wheeler, the responsibility to apply for the licence typically rests with the property owner. The agency claimed that although they had offered to assist with the application, a sudden resignation of a key staff member just before the tenancy began caused the oversight. Giles Martin, the agency’s owner, stated that all other necessary certificates for the property were in place at the time the rental started and that the licence would likely have been granted had the application been made. The agency has since apologised to Reeves and her husband for the error and any confusion caused, noting they deeply regret the situation as the clients had been under the impression that the licence was being processed.
Reeves herself acknowledged the oversight in a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, taking full responsibility for not ensuring the licence was obtained and for not alerting the Prime Minister earlier to the issue. She expressed regret over the inadvertent error and confirmed that the application for the licence was made as soon as the mistake came to light. Southwark Council clarified that enforcement actions, such as fines, are typically reserved for landlords who ignore warnings or fail to apply within a specified timeframe. The council’s stance emphasises protecting tenants and ensuring landlords uphold housing standards, but it did not indicate any direct action against Reeves, suggesting that her prompt response helped mitigate potential penalties.
Despite calls from Conservative politicians, including leader Kemi Badenoch, who demanded a full investigation and even suggested Reeves should be removed from her post, Prime Minister Starmer has stood firmly behind the Chancellor. After consulting his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, Starmer concluded that no further disciplinary action was necessary, stating that her apology and corrective steps were sufficient under the ministerial code. He expressed his confidence in Reeves as she faces significant challenges ahead, particularly with her forthcoming budget announcement scheduled for late November amid demanding economic circumstances.
This controversy amplifies existing pressures on Reeves, who is managing economic policy during a time marked by rising inflation and slowing growth. It follows a recent high-profile resignation within the Labour government related to breaches of ministerial rules, underscoring the heightened scrutiny government officials face regarding compliance and transparency. According to Reuters and AP reports, the revelation sparked criticism but did not prompt official investigations or sanctions, reflecting the government’s position that the matter had been addressed appropriately.
Ultimately, while the failure to secure the selective licence represents a procedural misstep, the swift acknowledgement and remedial action, combined with the estate agents’ admission of their part in the oversight, have contained the fallout. For now, it appears the incident will remain a cautionary episode rather than a crisis for Reeves or the Labour administration.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (Mirror), [4] (Evening Standard)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (Mirror), [5] (ITV)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (Mirror), [4] (Evening Standard)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (Mirror), [4] (Evening Standard), [3] (AP)
- Paragraph 5 – [2] (Reuters), [3] (AP), [6] (Mortgage Strategy), [7] (ITV)
- Paragraph 6 – [2] (Reuters), [3] (AP), [6] (Mortgage Strategy)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being October 30, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, similar content has appeared across multiple reputable outlets, including the Associated Press ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/c5df95658366042d96472f1fcdc214f9?utm_source=openai)) and Reuters ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-starmer-rejects-calls-investigation-into-reeves-house-rental-error-2025-10-30/?utm_source=openai)), indicating that the information is not exclusive. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes from Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are consistent across multiple reputable sources, including the Associated Press ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/c5df95658366042d96472f1fcdc214f9?utm_source=openai)) and Reuters ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-starmer-rejects-calls-investigation-into-reeves-house-rental-error-2025-10-30/?utm_source=openai)). No variations in wording were noted, suggesting the quotes are accurately reported.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, The Mirror, which is known for its comprehensive coverage of UK politics. The Associated Press and Reuters have also reported on the same incident, further corroborating the information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding Rachel Reeves’ failure to obtain a rental licence for her family home in Dulwich, South London, are plausible and have been corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including the Associated Press ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/c5df95658366042d96472f1fcdc214f9?utm_source=openai)) and Reuters ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-starmer-rejects-calls-investigation-into-reeves-house-rental-error-2025-10-30/?utm_source=openai)). The narrative includes specific details such as the location of the property, the involvement of the letting agency, and the responses from both Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, all of which align with information from other reputable outlets.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and based on a press release, with no significant discrepancies found. Direct quotes are consistent across multiple reputable sources, and the information aligns with reports from organisations such as the Associated Press and Reuters. The claims are plausible and corroborated by other reputable outlets.
Supercharge Your Content Strategy
Feel free to test this content on your social media sites to see whether it works for your community.
