Implementation of the Immigration Act 2014

[Terpe]

Landlords to be prohibited from letting residential accommodation to people who have been disqualified by virtue of their immigration status

Minister for Security and Immigration (James Brokenshire):-

I am announcing today the location in which the measures relating to landlords as prescribed by sections 20-37 of the Immigration Act 2014 will first be implemented. The Immigration Act 2014 contains a range of measures to reform and streamline the immigration system and address illegal immigration. It introduces restrictions on illegal immigrants accessing rented housing. When these provisions come into force, landlords will be prohibited from letting residential accommodation to people who have been disqualified by virtue of their immigration status.

The government has committed to a phased implementation of these provisions with the measures initially coming into force in one location, followed by an evaluation to inform decisions on further roll-out. I wish to inform the House that after careful consideration, the scheme is to be implemented first in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell. The new measures will commence in this area from 1 December.

To assist and advise the implementation and evaluation of the measures, the government is convening a consultative panel. The panel consists of bodies that represent landlords, letting agents, housing and homeless charities and others with an informed interest in the matter, and will also include representatives from the local authorities in these areas. This will ensure that the first phase can be thoroughly evaluated and considered as part of the decision making process on further roll-out.

Source (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/implementation-of-the-immigration-act-2014)

Read the landlords’ code of practice (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/350211/Landlords_scheme_-_draft_Code_of_Practice.pdf) to find out more

[Terpe]

West Midlands to be first landlord ‘right to rent’ check area

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire today announced the new measures in the Immigration Act would be launched in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton as part of a phased introduction across the country.

The new law will mean private landlords will have to check the right of prospective tenants to be in the country if they want to avoid potentially being fined up to £3,000.

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said:

“We are building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants and tough on those who abuse the system or flout the law.“

The right to rent checks are quick and simple, but will make it more difficult for immigration offenders to stay in the country when they have no right to be here.

“They will also act as a new line of attack against unscrupulous landlords who exploit people by renting out substandard, overcrowded and unsafe accommodation.“

Landlords in the West Midlands will have all the advice and support they need in advance of the checks going live on 1 December.

Landlords will need to see evidence of a person’s identity and citizenship, for example a passport or biometric residence permit. Many responsible landlords already do this as a matter of routine, and most legal renters will have the correct documentation ready to hand. In most cases landlords will be able carry out these simple checks without need to contact the Home Office.

Copies of the documentation will need to be taken as evidence the checks have been carried out and retained for one year after the tenancy ends. Children under 18 will not need to be checked. More information about how to carry out a right to rent check is available online at www.Gov.uk including eligibility for a free online Home Office checking service to confirm whether someone has a right to rent. A helpline (0300 069 9799) is also available.

Following an evaluation of the implementation in the West Midlands next spring, the Home Office expects to continue with the phased introduction of checks across the UK next year.

The Immigration Act 2014, which became law earlier this year, is a landmark piece of legislation which builds on the government’s ongoing reforms to make sure the immigration system works in the national interest. The Act is focused on stopping illegal migrants using public services to which they are not entitled, reducing the pull factors which encourage people to come to the UK for the wrong reasons, and making it easier for the Home Office to remove people who should not be here.

• More information about landlord right to rent checks.
• Check your postcode to see if your rental property is affected by the checks.
• Subscribe for email updates to keep informed about right to rent checks
• More information about the Immigration Act.

Source (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/west-midlands-to-be-first-landlord-right-to-rent-check-area)

[grahamw48]

I should think so too.

It is after all aiding a criminal, is it not ? :Erm:

[tiger31]

This should have been done a long time ago. Better late than never, I suppose.