Private landlords required to check immigration status of tenants

Again, more responsibility for private landlords but the idea is that the forthcoming legislation will ensure anyone without the legal right to live in this country will find it more difficult to rent a home. In addition, it seeks to crack down on unscrupulous landlords who exploit vulnerable immigrants.

The government has announced that from 1 February 2016, all private landlords in England will have to check new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting out their property.

Under the new rules, landlords who fail to check a potential tenant’s ‘Right to Rent’ will face penalties of up to £3,000 per tenant.

The new law will mean that private landlords, including those who sub-let or take in lodgers, must check the right of prospective tenants to be in the country to avoid being hit with a penalty.

http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/government-announces-right-to-rent-check-launch.html