West Midlands areas to trial 'right to rent' checks ahead of country-wide rollout

Private landlords in parts of the West Midlands will be the first to be required to check tenants’ immigration status.

Immigration minister James Brokenshire said the new measures in the Immigration Act 2014 would be introduced in the region ahead of a phased introduction across the country.

Affected areas from 1 December are Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Landlords must check the right of prospective tenants to be in the country, or face a fine of £3,000 for failing to do so.

Brokenshire said: “The right to rent checks are quick and simple, but will make it more difficult for immigration offenders to stay in the country when they have no right to be here.

“They will also act as a new line of attack against unscrupulous landlords who exploit people by renting out substandard, overcrowded and unsafe accommodation."

Landlords will need to see evidence of a person’s identity and citizenship, for example a passport. A code of practice has been issued.

The Home Office expects to introduce the measure across the UK next year following an evaluation next spring of the West Midlands’ experience.

The Residential Landlords Association said 82% of its members opposed the legislation.

Vice-chair Chris Town said: “Many British people do not have a passport and for those tenants on housing benefits, without passports, this will create an added difficulty for landlords.

“This policy continues to smack of political posturing rather than a seriously thought-through policy.”