The flagship government Right to Rent scheme which compels a landlord to check the immigration status of their potential tenants has been criticised by a government inspector.
David Bolt, the Borders and Immigration’s independent chief inspector, has written a report on the policy and says: “It is yet to demonstrate its worth to encourage compliance.”
He adds the Home Office has not measured the issues effectively and doing little for addressing stakeholders’ concerns.
Should landlords not check their tenant’s immigration status, they face the prospect of prosecution with hefty fines being levied.
Among those calling for the scheme to be suspended is the Residential Landlords’ Association (RLA) who say that the policy needs to be evaluated fully and to look at someone who cannot prove their identity easily.
Growing numbers of landlords reluctant in renting to a non-UK national
Critics say that Right to Rent has led to growing numbers of landlords reluctant in renting their property to a non-UK national because they fear they may be duped by forged documents.
Also landlords facing a real fear of criminal sanctions should they make a mistake.
The RLA's policy director, David Smith, said: “This report is damning of a policy failing.
"The inspector says it is yet to show its worth and the government is failing to note the concerns of the sector's key stakeholders.”
He also warned: “Landlords shouldn’t be scapegoats for the Border Agency's failures and it's time to suspend an unwelcome and controversial policy.”
Rental property numbers continue to fall
Meanwhile, it's been revealed that the number of rental properties that are available to rent fell in February to a 21 month low.
One reason for this is that the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have come into effect and those landlords who are unprepared may need to carry out repairs before re-letting their property.
In a report, ARLA says this may have led to the sharp fall.
The number of rental properties being offered by letting agents fell by 5% in February – its lowest level since May 2016.
The organisation's report also highlights that rental property demand has also fallen, with the average letting agent seeing a 13% fall.
ARLA’s chief executive, David Cox, said: “The results show a drop in rental property supply and it's no surprise since the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have come into effect which means all rental homes must be EPC rated as ‘E’ or above.”
The flagship government Right to Rent scheme which compels a landlord to check the immigration status of their potential tenants has been criticised by a government inspector.
David Bolt, the Borders and Immigration’s independent chief inspector, has written a report on the policy and says: “It is yet to demonstrate its worth to encourage compliance.”
He adds the Home Office has not measured the issues effectively and doing little for addressing stakeholders’ concerns.
Should landlords not check their tenant’s immigration status, they face the prospect of prosecution with hefty fines being levied.
Among those calling for the scheme to be suspended is the Residential Landlords’ Association (RLA) who say that the policy needs to be evaluated fully and to look at someone who cannot prove their identity easily.
Growing numbers of landlords reluctant in renting to a non-UK national
Critics say that Right to Rent has led to growing numbers of landlords reluctant in renting their property to a non-UK national because they fear they may be duped by forged documents.
Also landlords facing a real fear of criminal sanctions should they make a mistake.
The RLA's policy director, David Smith, said: “This report is damning of a policy failing.
"The inspector says it is yet to show its worth and the government is failing to note the concerns of the sector's key stakeholders.”
He also warned: “Landlords shouldn’t be scapegoats for the Border Agency's failures and it's time to suspend an unwelcome and controversial policy.”
Rental property numbers continue to fall
Meanwhile, it's been revealed that the number of rental properties that are available to rent fell in February to a 21 month low.
One reason for this is that the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have come into effect and those landlords who are unprepared may need to carry out repairs before re-letting their property.
In a report, ARLA says this may have led to the sharp fall.
The number of rental properties being offered by letting agents fell by 5% in February – its lowest level since May 2016.
The organisation's report also highlights that rental property demand has also fallen, with the average letting agent seeing a 13% fall.
ARLA’s chief executive, David Cox, said: “The results show a drop in rental property supply and it's no surprise since the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have come into effect which means all rental homes must be EPC rated as ‘E’ or above.”
