Athwal said he was “shocked” and “deeply sorry” to hear about the problems of the residents, whose property was managed by an agency he was not aware of.

Newly elected Labor MP Jas Athwal is under fire following reports of deplorable conditions in his rental property. Athwal, the biggest landlord with 15 properties in the House of Commons, has been embroiled in controversy after tenants revealed shocking living conditions. According to the BBC, residents in Ilford South have raised concerns about severe black mold infestation and ant problems in a block of seven flats managed by Athwal. Tenants are forced to clean their roofs regularly to combat the toxic fungus, while battling ant infestations that have plagued their living spaces. A tenant shared the harrowing experience of ants crawling on his son. Another resident feared eviction after speaking out against the deplorable condition of his flat.

Athwal said he was “shocked” and “deeply sorry” to hear about the residents' problems, which he was not aware of as the property was being managed by an agency, and assured that repairs and maintenance would be completed “swiftly”.

On top of the black mold, the BBC found evidence of ant infestations in many of the seven properties.

“Ants are everywhere,” said one resident, pointing to the insects climbing the door frame. “They are on my son and on his clothes.” Another resident said he was threatened with eviction by the letting agent if he complained about problems in his flat or started claiming benefits.

In his first response to the BBC, Athwal did not respond to requests for an interview but said: “My properties are managed by an agency, chosen for their quick response times and excellent customer service. Evidence of this is the long tenure of tenancies – over 87 years in 15 properties.

“I pride myself on being a good landlord and no tenant has ever been evicted. The properties have undergone repairs and improvements as recently as two weeks ago. “To allow tenants to enjoy secure, long-term housing, rents are kept below market rates and in many cases rents are frozen at a pre-agreed rate,” the BBC quoted him as saying.

He added that he did not take tenants on housing benefit to avoid a conflict of interest with his role as local council leader.