Housing Solicitors

The government has announced that the area chosen to pilot its scheme whereby private sector landlords have to check the immigration of tenants is the West Midlands.

The scheme will commence on 1 December and will encompass the West Midlands cities and towns of Birmingham, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

The results of the pilot scheme will be assessed by the Home Office in spring 2015 with a view to rolling out the scheme as a phased introduction later in the year.

The scheme is being introduced under the Immigration Act 2014, as part of the government’s measures to strengthen the rules to prevent illegal immigration.

However, some experts say that placing the onus on landlords for checking their tenants’ immigration status is unfair and unworkable.

Employers already have to check on the immigration status of employees and their eligibility to work in the UK before offering them a job. Failure to do so or an employer found employing illegal immigrants can face a £10,000 fine per illegal worker.

Landlords who fail to check the immigration status of tenants could face a fine of up to £3,000.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors are able to advise both landlords and rental tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Illegal or malicious eviction
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlord & Tenant disputes.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading provider of Legal Aid services.

For expert legal advice on housing law call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.