Another letting agent has spoken out at the threat of the new Right to Rent legislation leading to possible discrimination against tenants. 

Ali Baylav, managing director at Nottingham agency Cavendish Residential, says: “I’m worried that the new Right to Rent legislation could result in discrimination against tenants that are on a timed visa.”

He says two potential tenants who were both ideal, could afford the rent, sign up to a 12 month lease and don’t smoke or have pets sound ideal – but where one tenant has a continuous right as opposed to a timed status “it may lead to the landlord opting to choose their application knowing that subsequent checks will be easier.”

Right to Rent – which has been sharply criticised from many parts of the lettings sector, for making agents and landlords act as de facto immigration officers – was piloted in parts of the West Midlands in December 2014 and the extension to England which started this week is seen as the next phase of what the government intends to be a UK-wide roll out.  

Landlords, their agents, and anybody who sublets or takes in lodgers, could face a financial penalty of up to £3,000 per tenant if they are found to be letting property to someone who has no right to stay in the UK.