Today is the start of the pilot scheme in regions of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley where letting agents and landlords must check if prospective tenants have the legal right to seek residency in the UK.
It's imperative all agents are aware of the changes that are coming in to force under this [2014 Immigration] Act, not just those in the initial pilot regions. For those found in breach of the legislation it carries civil penalties up to £3,000 per head says David Cox, managing director of the Association of Residential Letting Agents.
Under the Act, agents will be required to make ID checks to establish the immigration status of all prospective adult occupiers before a residential tenancy agreement is granted. Records will need to be kept for 12 months after the end of the tenancy.
Establishing routine ID checks for all adult occupiers will endeavour to ensure both that tenants do not suffer discrimination and that your excuse against civil penalty is established in every case he advises agents.
ARLA is monitoring the progress of the pilot scheme in the West Midlands and is working with the Home Office to submit information for government evaluation. It wants agent and landlord feedback, to be sent to Rachel Hartley at rachelhartley@nfopp.co.uk.
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