Green Party co-deputy leader Mothin Ali has come under scrutiny after reports linked him to two buy-to-let properties in Leeds, despite his party backing a policy aimed at phasing out private landlordism.
Ali, a Leeds city councillor, is the sole director and controlling shareholder of MA Holdings Ltd, a property company that owns two homes in the Gipton area of the city.
The properties were reportedly bought with buy-to-let mortgages for ÂŁ165,000 in June 2022 and ÂŁ157,000 in March 2025. Both purchases were completed before Green Party members adopted the âAbolish Landlordsâ motion in October 2025.
Companies House records show that MA Holdings was incorporated in December 2021 and remains active. Its registered business activities include buying, selling, letting and managing property.
How has the Green Party responded?
The Green Party said Ali had acted solely to support vulnerable close family members for whom he has caring responsibilities. The party declined to disclose further details, citing the privacy of those involved.
A spokesperson also said Ali fully supports the partyâs housing policy. The Greens maintain that the policy does not propose immediately removing every private landlord but seeks to reduce dependence on privately rented housing through tighter regulation, taxation and a major expansion of council homes.
The partyâs proposals include rent controls, the phasing out of buy-to-let mortgages and giving tenants greater protection. Councils would also receive more power and funding to purchase rental homes when landlords decide to sell.
Former Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer previously acknowledged that the motionâs name was deliberately attention-grabbing but said the measures would gradually reduce the proportion of homes controlled by private landlords.
The timing is important: both properties linked to Ali were acquired before the motion became official Green Party policy. However, questions are now being raised about whether senior party figures who already own rental properties should take steps to bring their personal arrangements into line with the policy they publicly support.
What do official records show?
Official company filings list Mohammed Mothin Ali as the only person with significant control of MA Holdings. The records state that he owns at least 75% of the shares and voting rights and has the power to appoint or remove directors.
Ali reportedly declared his interest in the first property after being elected to Leeds City Council in May 2024 and later notified the council about the second purchase.
Leeds City Councilâs disclosure rules require councillors to register relevant property, employment, business and financial interests.
There is no suggestion in the available reports that Ali failed to make a required declaration. The Green Party has also said the arrangements were created for family reasons rather than personal financial gain.
The disclosure nevertheless creates a political challenge for the Greens as housing becomes an increasingly prominent part of the partyâs national message. Party leader Zack Polanski has criticised a private rental system in which tenants can be treated as sources of profit and has called for a substantial increase in social housing.
The controversy may receive additional attention during the forthcoming Holborn and St Pancras contest following Keir Starmerâs decision to quit as an MP. Polanski has been linked with a possible campaign for the London seat, where housing costs are expected to become a major issue.
This report is based on reporting by the BBC and The Sunday Times, alongside publicly accessible Companies House and Leeds City Council records. Swikblog has distinguished confirmed public records from claims and explanations attributed to the parties involved.
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