'Right to Rent'
call for evidence

25 October 2017

In December 2014, a scheme was introduced called ‘Right to Rent’ (RtR). The RtR scheme requires landlords of privately rented accommodation to conduct checks on new tenants to establish whether they have a legal right to be in the UK and therefore whether they have the right to rent.

The checks were brought in as part of a government effort to cut down on illegal immigration by restricting access to rented housing. With the legislation now in place The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) has begun work on an inspection of RtR including the development of the scheme and the sanctions for non-compliance.

Many observers believe the measures introduced in the 2014 and 2016 Immigration Acts create a ‘hostile environment’ for individuals in the UK without valid leave. Whilst the ICIBI intends to continue over the next couple of years to look at the full range of ‘hostile’ measures the Home Office has introduced, this current inspection aims to address concerns surrounding Right to Rent.

The inspectorate’s established stakeholder groups will therefore shortly be asked for their input but the ICIBI is also keen to receive written evidence from members of the public and stakeholders who have knowledge and experience of this immigration control including the take up of RtR measures by Home Office enforcement and casework teams.

If you would like to provide feedback, you are asked to write to chiefinspector@icinspector.gsi.gov.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 November 2017.

Click here more information on the call for evidence.

Click here to view the code of practice on RtR immigration checks.

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