Agents face jail from December over Right to Rent lapses

Agents and landlords who repeatedly fail to carry out Right to Rent checks or who do not take steps to evict illegal migrants will face the possibility of jail as from December.

Two provisions included in the Immigration Act 2016 are to come into force before the end of this year, Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced yesterday.

It will be easier for landlords to evict illegal migrant tenants, and new criminal offences will be created for both landlords and tenants.

The 2016 Act builds on the Immigration Act 2014 which introduced Right to Rent checks but only imposed civil penalties of up to £3,000 per illegal migrant tenant.

The exact date of criminalising Right to Rent failures has not been released, but yesterday the Home Office said: “We will continue to work closely with the private rented sector in the lead up to the measures in the Act being implemented and will provide further updates and communications material as the work progresses.”

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4 Comments

  1. Estate Agent W1

    I assume on this basis Immigration officers who let in illegal immigrants will also face jail as will lorry drivers, restaurant owners who employ them etc. No, I didn’t think so. Just the easy targets then!

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  2. Woodentop

    Question should the story read “Agents” or should it be Landlords?

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  3. ringi

    ““Agents” or should it be Landlords?”   Both!

    But remember it is only “repeatedly fail to carry out Right to Rent checks”, not  just failing to do one check.

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  4. spin2009

    I had a very annoying experience yesterday.

    In between immigration checks, money laundering compliance, NFOPP form filling for PI and CMP, irritatingly, somebody tried to make an offer on a property.

    There is only so much time in a day.

     

     

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