Agencies Report: UK Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali has stepped down after facing heavy criticism for evicting tenants from her property and subsequently increasing the rent.
The Labour MP was accused of hypocrisy after it was revealed she had removed four tenants from her east London property under the pretext of selling the home, only to re-let it weeks later at a higher rent—raising it from £3,300 to £4,000 a month, according to a report by i newspaper.
Ali announced her resignation on Wednesday evening, following growing pressure from housing advocates and political opponents to explain the apparent contradiction between her stated intentions and actions.
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ali maintained that she had adhered to all legal obligations and acted responsibly. However, she acknowledged that remaining in her role would be a distraction from the government’s agenda and chose to resign.
Starmer thanked her for her contributions at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, noting her work would leave a lasting legacy. He expressed confidence that she would continue to serve her constituents from the backbenches.
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Ali, who had previously voiced strong opposition to unfair rent hikes and exploitation of renters, faced backlash for what many saw as double standards. A new renters’ rights bill, expected to take effect next year, will prohibit landlords from re-letting properties at a higher rent after terminating tenancies for the purpose of sale, and will also end fixed-term tenancy agreements.
The Conservative Party was quick to respond, with party chair Kevin Hollinrake accusing Labour of hypocrisy and calling Ali’s resignation “the right outcome.” He criticised Starmer for leading what he described as a government “of sleaze and scandal.”
Other critics, including the SNP’s Peter Wishart and Labour’s Jess Barnard, demanded stricter standards for MPs who are landlords, questioning whether such roles are compatible with their duties.
Shelter’s campaigns director Mairi MacRae also condemned the situation, saying the case highlights the unfairness renters face and called for an end to so-called “fire-and-rehire” evictions.
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A spokesperson for Ali said the tenants had stayed for the full term of their lease and were given the option to stay longer while the property remained for sale, but chose to leave. After they moved out, a repair cost request was issued by the property manager but later cancelled by Ali herself.
The house, located near her Bethnal Green and Stepney constituency, is currently listed for sale at £894,995, with its price reduced in February after initially being listed last November.
