Midland landlords join border control

West Midland landlords are the first to don boots, pull on their uniforms and begin work on the frontline of UK border control. 

"Can I see your papers?"

From today landlords renting out properties in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton areas will be required to check the passports of any new tenants to make sure they are not illegal immigrants. 

Any passports / documents need to be photocopied by the landlord and kept as record of the checks.

In those cases where a prospective tenant cannot produce a passport, a  landlord will be required to make further checks using the gov.uk websites 'Right to rent' tool. (good luck with that)

Failure by a landlord to follow the proper checks could result in prosecution and a maximum £3000 fine.

The requirement is expected to be rolled out across the entire country during 2015.

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