Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali has been revealed as a landlord – despite his party’s national conference voting to abolish private landlords.

Ali has been linked to two buy-to-let properties bought in June 2022 and March 2025, and is the sole director of a company which controls the homes - although he does not appear to profit from either of them, reports the BBC.

The purchases happened before the Greens adopted the policy committing to phasing out ownership of rental properties by private landlords last October.

The Green Party told the BBC that, at the time Ali had set up the company, and since, he “has acted solely in the interests of vulnerable close family members for whom he has caring responsibilities”.

Connection

Ali’s connection to the rental properties via real estate company MA Holdings, which purchased them with buy-to-let mortgages, was first reported by the Times.

The BBC has spoken to the previous owner and resident of the second property, who confirmed that Ali’s company had purchased the property and believed it was bought with the intention to be let out.

Asked why MA Holdings owns the rental properties, a Green Party spokesperson said: “We have provided deeply personal information to the BBC in confidence which shows that Councillor Ali has acted solely in the interests of vulnerable close family members for whom he has caring responsibilities. At Councillor Ali’s request, we are not going to make this information public to protect his family.”

Steps

Asked whether Ali had sought to take any steps since the policy had been adopted to change anything with regard to the rental properties, a Green Party spokesperson told the BBC he fully supported the policy.

“The policy does not literally seek to abolish landlords, but rather to put in more regulations and taxes on private rentals through measures such as rent controls and expanded social housing,” they said. “All of which Mothin Ali supports.”

The Greens have vowed to impose widespread rent controls, end buy-to-let mortgages and give councils the right to buy a rental property when it is sold at a discounted price.

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