A Government inspector has said that Right to Rent policy, whereby landlords and agents have to check a prospective tenant’s right to live in the UK or face possible criminal sanctions, has failed to demonstrate its worth as a means of controlling illegal immigration.

David Bolt, independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration, made the claim in a new report in which he also accused the Home Office of “failing to co-ordinate, maximise or even measure effectively its use, while at the same time doing little to address the concerns of stakeholders”.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is calling for Right to Rent to be suspended while a full evaluation is carried  out, especially its effects on tenants who cannot easily prove their identities.

David Smith, policy director for the RLA, said: “Landlords should not be used as scapegoats for the failures of the border agencies. It is time to suspend this controversial and unwelcome policy.”

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants is seeking a judicial review of Right to Rent, with legal director Chai Patel saying: “It’s disgraceful that the Home Office has refused to properly evaluate whether or not the right to rent scheme is actually working to reduce irregular migration. They have no idea.

“Unsurprisingly the Home Office has also refused to allow groups representing the migrants and ethnic minorities affected by this discriminatory scheme to sit on its consultative panel.

“It’s time for Amber Rudd to put an end to this divisive mess of a policy that forces landlords to act as immigration officials. Until she does, we will continue to challenge it in the courts.”