28^th Mar 2018

A Government inspector has criticised the government's 'Right to Rent' policy as having little effect in controlling the amount of illegals living in Britain.

The Right to Rent policy makes it mandatory for all agents and landlords to check any new prospective tenant's documents proving they are allowed to live in the UK, if these checks are not carried out by landlords and agents they will face fines and criminal sanctions.

David Bolt, independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration, damning report which includes the claim and it didn't stop there as he also accused the Home Office of “failing to co-ordinate, maximise or even measure effectively its use, while at the same time doing little to address the concerns of stakeholders”.

An industry body is demanding that the government should immediately suspend the policy whilst a full investigation and evaluation is undertaken and how it affects prospective tenants who do not possess the necessary identification.

A spokesperson for the body, said: “Landlords should not be used as scapegoats for the failures of the border agencies. It is time to suspend this controversial and unwelcome policy.”

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants is attempting to achieve a judicial review of Right to Rent, and its legal director Chai Patel said: “It’s disgraceful that the Home Office has refused to properly evaluate whether or not the right to rent scheme is actually working to reduce irregular migration. They have no idea.

“Unsurprisingly the Home Office has also refused to allow groups representing the migrants and ethnic minorities affected by this discriminatory scheme to sit on its consultative panel.

“It’s time for Amber Rudd to put an end to this divisive mess of a policy that forces landlords to act as immigration officials. Until she does, we will continue to challenge it in the courts.”

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