Nearly one in five Members of Parliament are earning additional income as landlords, according to a comprehensive analysis of parliamentary registers, while the nation grapples with an escalating housing crisis.
The investigation reveals that 123 sitting MPs – representing 19% of the House of Commons – declared rental earnings on top of their £91,346 parliamentary salaries. This figure has surged from just 87 MPs recorded in 2010, marking a significant 41% increase in landlord politicians over the past decade.
Cross-Party Property Investments
The trend spans political boundaries, with 83 Conservative MPs and 24 Labour MPs among those with property portfolios. Even Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn appear on the list of parliamentarians with rental interests.
This revelation comes as Housing Secretary Michael Gove prepares to unveil crucial reforms to England's rental market through the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest among those debating the legislation.
Growing Crisis Meets Growing Portfolios
While MPs expand their property investments, England faces a severe housing shortage. Official statistics show a deficit of approximately one million homes, with private rents skyrocketing by 5.3% in the year to August alone.
Campaign groups have expressed concern about the disparity. Dan Wilson Craw of Generation Rent stated: "When so many MPs have a personal stake in the rental market, it raises legitimate questions about their ability to objectively address the housing crisis affecting their constituents."
Transparency and Accountability Concerns
The findings emerge from detailed scrutiny of the MPs' register of interests, which requires parliamentarians to declare additional earnings beyond their parliamentary work. While the system promotes transparency, critics argue it highlights the growing disconnect between decision-makers and those affected by the policies they create.
As the government prepares to tackle England's housing challenges, the significant representation of landlord MPs in parliamentary debates will undoubtedly face increased public scrutiny and calls for greater accountability in housing policy development.
