Landlords be very warned as of December you could face jail time if you rent to illegal immigrants.
In tough new immigration policy Amber Rudd, our new Home Secretary has announced that any Landlords who rent to illegal immigrants would face jail sentences.
This follows the new Right to Rent policies. These already sees Landlords having to make sure that their tenants are allowed to be in the country through checking at least 2 forms of ID.
I’m on the fence with this.
Why I’m Against It
On one hand I really do not think that Landlords should be border patrol. Illegal immigrants should have been stopped long before they reached the stage of wanting to rent privately. Moreover if a person is determined to get into a rented property they could forge documents. So the Government needs to put more guidance out for how to spot counterfeit documents, if this is going to become policy.
Why I’m For It
However, on the other hand, this will stop rogue landlords from renting properties to illegal immigrants. I have heard that where this happens the properties are often really not fit for purpose and these Landlords will try to pack as many people into houses as possible. If threatening jail time stops this from happening then thats an awesome thing.
And No Matter What I Think, You Don’t Want To Go To Jail
Whatever side of the fence you are sitting on, this policy is something that’s coming. So whether you are renting out your property to illegal immigrants (I really hope this isn’t actually your business!). Or have tenants in your property whom you don’t have correct identification for or just a great Landlord looking to get more clued up on policy.
Please make sure you know that if you rent out property to illegal immigrants you could get jail time. I’ve warned you. The Government are obviously hot on this and Amber Rudd is quite a scary woman. So please adapt your management strategy accordingly!
NC
