RLA calls for a review of the UK Government’s Right to Rent scheme
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has called for a review of the UK Government’s Right to Rent scheme asking for a full review of the scheme’s impact on tenants.
The RLA has revealed that over 40 per cent of landlords across England and Wales are wary of renting to those without a British passport.
The Right to Rent scheme leaves landlords responsible for checking the immigration status of their tenants. They may face prosecution if they know, or have ‘reasonable cause to believe’ that their property is being let to someone without the right to rent in the UK.
RLA policy director, David Smith, said: ‘This proves what we have long argued, that the Right to Rent scheme would cause difficulties for legitimate tenants who cannot easily prove their identity. Faced with the fear of criminal sanctions many landlords are understandably playing it safe. Given the scale of the housing crisis, any policy that makes it harder for those legally able to access the homes they need is a travesty. It is absurd to conduct a review of the scheme without looking at all the consequences. That is why it is vital that the Home Office suspends the scheme pending a full and detailed assessment of its impact on tenants and prospective tenants.’
Read the news report from the RLA posted 19th December 2017 in full click here.