Continuing with the government’s stated intention to create a ‘hostile environment’ in the UK, landlords will now be forced to act as immigration policemen.
From 01 February 2016 landlords in England and Wales will be required to check passports to make sure that people are in the UK legally before renting out their property. This scheme, which was introduced by the Immigration Act 2014, has been carried on on a trial basis in the Midlands, but is to be extended across England and Wales.
Failure on the part of a landlord to comply currently carries a fine of up to £3000. The Immigration Bill going through Parliament will increase the maximum penalty to a five year jail sentence.
