UK’s Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali has resigned following intense criticism after evicting tenants from her East London property and subsequently raising the rent.
The Labour MP faced accusations of hypocrisy after reports revealed she had removed four tenants under the pretext of selling the home, only to re-let it weeks later at a higher rate—increasing the rent from £3,300 to £4,000 per month, according to newspapers.
Ali announced her resignation on Wednesday evening amid mounting pressure from housing advocates and political opponents, who condemned the apparent contradiction between her public stance on renters’ rights and her actions as a landlord.
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ali maintained she had complied with all legal obligations but acknowledged that staying in her role would distract from the government’s agenda.
Starmer thanked her for her service at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, stating her work would leave a “lasting legacy.” He expressed confidence she would continue representing her constituents from the backbenches.
Ali, who had previously condemned unfair rent increases and renter exploitation, faced backlash for what critics called a double standard. The controversy comes as a new renters’ rights bill—expected next year—will ban landlords from re-letting properties at higher rents after evicting tenants under the guise of selling.
The Conservative Party seized on the scandal, with party chair Kevin Hollinrake labelling Ali’s resignation “the right outcome” and accusing Labour of hypocrisy. He criticised Starmer for leading a government “of sleaze and scandal.”
Other critics, including the SNP’s Peter Wishart and Labour’s Jess Barnard, called for stricter regulations on MPs who are landlords, questioning whether such roles conflict with their public duties.
Shelter’s campaigns director, Mairi MacRae, said the case exposed the unfair treatment renters face and urged an end to “fire-and-rehire” evictions.
A spokesperson for Ali stated the tenants had completed their lease term and were offered an extension while the property was listed for sale, but chose to leave. After their departure, a repair cost request was issued by the property manager but later cancelled by Ali.
The property, near her Bethnal Green and Stepney constituency, remains on the market for £894,995 after a price reduction in February.