There has been a lot of media coverage in the wake of the news that private sector landlords will be expected to check tenants’ immigration status and evict them if they don’t have the right to stay. Some think the scheme is a good idea; others are highly critical. However, data released to the Economist has shown that the original pilot scheme was not a success so rolling out the scheme nationwide could have many unwelcome consequences.
Black Country Pilot
The pilot was implemented in the West Midlands in December 2014. Since then, only
Seven landlords have been prosecuted, with average fines of around £800 each. The idea behind the scheme is that landlords must check a tenant’s passport or visa documentation in order to establish their right to stay in the UK, but a survey carried out by a charity indicated that only half of landlords and letting agents bothered to do this.
Landlord Discrimination
In a separate survey, more disturbing information came to light that indicated many landlords in the pilot discriminated against overseas tenants, blocking them from renting properties.
This information raises fresh fears that the scheme is unworkable and will encourage landlords and letting agents to discriminate against non-UK tenants. Experts are also quick to point out that any landlord found guilty of discriminating against foreign tenants faces expensive litigation.
A Home Office spokesperson says: “The evaluation of Right to Rent is currently being completed, but there are no indications so far to suggest landlord checks are being carried out unfairly.”
