Minister Under Fire Over £700 Rent Hike in London

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Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, Rushanara Ali, is facing growing criticism after it was revealed she raised the rent on a property she owns in east London by £700 a month shortly after the previous tenants moved out.

According to The i Paper, the tenants, who had rented the property under a fixed-term contract, were issued notice last November that their lease would not be renewed. Just weeks after they left, the house was re-listed for rent at a significantly higher price, despite earlier claims that the home was being sold.

The move has drawn scrutiny given Ali’s ministerial role overseeing homelessness and housing stability, with critics questioning the optics and ethics of such a steep rent rise amid a worsening housing crisis.

A spokesperson for Ali stated: “Rushanara takes her responsibilities seriously and complied with all relevant legal requirements.” A source close to the minister added that while the home had initially been placed on the market for sale, the tenants were given the option to remain on a rolling basis. They claim the decision to re-let the house only came after it failed to sell.

The timing of the re-listing, however, raises questions. Under the proposed Renters Reform Bill, currently in its final stages in Parliament, landlords who terminate tenancies to sell properties would be barred from re-letting them for six months. The bill also seeks to abolish fixed-term tenancies and increase the notice period to four months for landlords reclaiming possession for sale.

Tenant advocacy groups have responded with concern, stating that the case highlights the urgent need for legislative reform to prevent tenants from being priced out of their homes unfairly.

Ali’s situation underscores broader tensions within the rental market, as housing campaigners argue that rising rents, short-term contracts, and lack of regulation are leaving many renters vulnerable even as ministers publicly commit to tackling homelessness.

The minister has not commented further on the political or ethical implications of the rent increase.