Landlords in East Midlands to check immigration status from December

Private landlords in the East Midlands will face fines of £3,000 if they fail to check their tenants immigration status and ensure they have the right to rent in the UK.

The first phase of this scheme will be launched on the 1st of December and will run in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Landlords in these places will be required to check the immigration status of adults entering a new tenancy.

How Landlords will check immigration status

British or EEA nationals will have to show a passport, or a combination of other documents such as a birth certificate or driving license.

Migrants who are residing in the UK lawfully will need to have a biometric residence permit to show their immigration status.

Exemptions to the checks

Certain types of accommodation are exempt from these new requirements, namely;

• accommodation provided by a local authority or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• hostels and refuges;
• tied accommodation provided by an employer for an employee; and
• halls of residence for students

A group of landlords, letting agents, charities and councils will evaluate the Midlands pilot before the programme is rolled out.

Housing Rights Service has previously raised concerns over this potentially discriminatory policy.