Big rise in Right To Rent fines

There’s been a rise of over 400 per cent in the monetary total of fines issued for Right To Rent offences by agents and landlords.

However the overall total remains relatively low.

Agents and landlords were fined £151,480 in 2023 compared with £29,960 in 2022: the number of penalties issued rose from 32 in 2022, to 155 last year.

New Right to Rent fine increases came into effect last month. 

For a first breach the fine has increased from £80 per losger to £5,000 and from £1,000 per occupier to £10,000.

Fines for repeat breaches have also gone up dramatically, with an increase from £500 per lodger and £3,000 per occupier to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier. 

The penalty increase is part of a wider crackdown on illegal immigration in the UK by the Home Office.

A spokesperson for Credas Technologies, a PropTech supplier in this field, says:  “It's more important than ever that landlords and letting agents conduct these checks and keep accurate records for a year after the tenancy agreement ends, as they could face an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison if they are found to have knowingly rented to someone who didn't have the right to live in England.

“Landlords and letting agents also need to be able to demonstrate a fair tenant selection process to avoid claims of unlawful discrimination in respect of any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 such as age, gender reassignment, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin etc. They will need to demonstrate, with evidence, that they have a carefully considered a fair selection process that has been followed stringently.”