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A Home Office press released issued on 20th October confirms what many suspected would happen: as of February 1st. 2016, the Right to Rent Immigration checks on tenants will become mandatory.
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Steep Penalties for Landlords Who Don’t Conform
It isn’t likely to be a popular decision, but landlords who fail to check the immigration status of their tenants face penalties of up to £3,000. And it isn’t only regular landlords who will be affected – anyone who sub-lets or rents a spare room to a lodger will have to carry out the same checks.
“Fairer System” says Government
The government claims that the new system will be “fairer and more effective”.
“Right to rent checks are quick and simple, and many responsible landlords already do them as a matter of routine. We are providing landlords in England with all the advice and support they need before the checks go live on 1 February 2016.
“Under right to rent, landlords should check identity documents for all new tenants and take copies. The scheme has been designed to make it straightforward for people to give evidence of their right to rent and a range of commonly available documents can be used.”
The new Right to Rent checks will make it a lot harder for illegal immigrants to remain in the UK and landlords will be able to evict these tenants under a fast-track process. A pilot scheme carried out in the West Midlands was deemed to be a success, although detailed information has yet to be released by the government.
