Immigration check guidelines issued (again)

The government has issued its latest code of practice document providing guidance for landlords affected by the introduction of immigration checks - what the Home Office and the DCLG call the Right to Rent' checks.

The requirement to do immigration right-to-rent checks will affect some landlords taking in new tenants in the Midlands from December 1 but the scheme is not scheduled to roll out nationally until April 2015.

The checks will include landlords who take in new tenants and lodgers or sub-let property after the start dates.

The guidelines, released yesterday, do not break any new ground but reiterate that in most cases it will be possible to carry out the checks without contacting the Home Office.

The right to rent checks only apply fto landlords in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton, must be conducted on all adults aged 18 and over living at the rental property and only on new tenancy agreements starting on or after December 1.

If you let a property in these areas after this date to someone who doesn't have the right to rent, you could be fined up to £3,000. The Home Office has set up a landlords' helpline on 0300 069 9799.