Landlords facing fines over illegal immigrants

ROGUE landlords who allow illegal immigrants to live in their properties are to be hit with financial penalties under proposals unveiled by the Government.

Landlords allowing illegal immigrants to live in their properties will be hit with fines. Picture: TSPL

As the Department of Health and Home Office unveiled plans to clamp down on immigrants’ access to the National Health Service, a separate consultation was launched on tackling landlords who fail to conduct proper immigration checks before providing residential accommodation.

The proposals - unveiled earlier this year in the Queen’s Speech - form part of a stricter regime to keep immigration in the UK under control .

In a written statement, immigration minister Mark Harper said: “The consultation seeks views on the creation of a duty to require landlords to conduct immigration status checks on tenants before providing residential accommodation, with financial penalties for those landlords who let property to illegal migrants having failed to conduct the necessary checks.”

Mr Harper went on: “The Government is determined to build a fairer system and to address the public’s concern about immigration. The proposals will form part of the Immigration Bill, to be introduced later this year, which will tighten immigration law, strengthen our enforcement powers and clamp down on those from overseas who try to abuse our public services.

“By reducing access to free NHS care and rented accommodation for illegal migrants, we will make it more difficult for them to stay in the country, leading to more returns and removals.

“This Bill is the next step in the radical reform of the immigration system which has led to a reduction in net migration - now at its lowest level for a decade.”