News
Right to Rent - Update
Friday 4th November 2016
From 1st February 2016, the UK government introduced new laws under The Immigration Act 2014. It is mandatory for private landlords and letting agents to check the immigration status of all new adult tenants, sub-tenants and lodgers in order to assess whether they have the "Right To Rent" in the UK.
Any landlord who fails to undertake the necessary checks may face a civil penalty of up to £3,000 per illegal tenant. As from 1st December 2016, any serious breaches of the scheme may face a fine, up to five years imprisonment, both fine and imprisonment, and in some cases further sanctions under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Put in place for "rogue landlords who are intent on flouting the law" the new punishments will hopefully prove to be a deterrent. The Act will also make it easier to evict tenants in the event that they are found to be illegal migrants; such as in cases where the tenancy started before the Right to Rent scheme and tenants whose visas have now expired.
Right to Rent doesn't just apply for people suspected of being an illegal immigrant, all new tenants over the age of 18 must be checked.
Please see links to some useful documents below:
Government Announcement for Immigration Act 2016 - Residential Tenancies