New Criminal Penalties for Landlords and Letting Agents

The Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, announced in her speech at the Conservative party conference on 4 October that the Government will introduce new criminal offences targeted at landlords.

The criminal offences referred to in that speech are those already introduced by the Immigration Act 2016.  These offences can be committed by landlords or letting agents where they knowingly let residential properties in England to persons who do not have a valid immigration status. These criminal offences are not yet in force, and it appears that the Government will introduce the necessary legislation to make them effective in December.

It is now more important than ever that landlords and letting agents in England are aware of their responsibilities under the right to rent scheme and that they carry out all necessary immigration document checks properly.

We will be holding a seminar to provide an update on recent developments in Right to Rent, including the new criminal offences. This will be of particular assistance to letting agents and landlords. For further information about the seminar contact Eileen Donaghey.

We have written extensively about Right to Rent in the Anthony Gold blog. You can read these for an overview of the different aspects of the scheme and how this affects you.

• Overview of Right to Rent
• Update: What is â€‹Permission to Rent?
• Forged Documents and the Right to Rent
• How to appeal against civil penalties
• Making Tenancy Agreements and Terms of Business compliant

* Disclaimer: The information on the Anthony Gold website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. It is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied.*