CAMPAIGNERS gathered outside the offices of Southwark council today to protest at what they called the authority’s failure to act against Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who rented out her Dulwich home without a licence for nearly a year, earning £40,000.

Activists from tenants’ union Acorn accused the council of double standards, demanding that Ms Reeves face the same penalties as ordinary landlords.

A spokesperson said: “It absolutely stinks that Southwark council have said they won’t take any action against Rachel Reeves.

“[Private rented sector] enforcement is an absolute shambles across London, but Southwark council claim to have a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to bad landlords and those who break the law.

“So this suggests either they are misleading people or bending the rules for a rich politician. Either way, it stinks!”

The group called on the council to issue the maximum fine to Ms Reeves, refund the tenants’ rent in full and review its housing enforcement policies to better protect renters from illegal lettings.

A council spokesperson said it “cannot comment on individual cases,” adding that fines were typically imposed only when landlords fail to apply for a licence within 21 days of a warning or when properties are deemed unsafe.