Green Party deputy leader linked to property lets despite opposition to landlords

The deputy leader of the Green Party, Mothin Ali, is linked to two buy-to-let properties, despite his party's opposition to private landlords.

Ali is the sole director of a company, which he set up and controls, that owns two rental properties in Leeds, bought in June 2022 and March 2025 - although he does not appear to profit from either of them.

The property purchases happened before the Greens adopted a policy committing to phasing out ownership of rental properties by private landlords in October 2025.

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".

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 newspaper.

Records held by Companies House show that Ali is the sole director of MA Holdings, incorporated in December 2021, and he is listed in the records as the sole person with significant control, owning more than 75% of the shares.

The company's business includes "buying and selling of own real estate", "letting and operating of own or leased real estate" and "management of real estate on a fee or contract basis".

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.