Right to Rent voted through

The Immigration Bill takes another step closer to coming into force. The bill has been given a second reading following the latest vote in the commons, 323 votes to 274 - a majority of 49.

It now goes to a Commons committee stage, before returning to the Commons for another vote, then on to the Lords.  

Theresa May proposed the bill would bring "greater fairness to British citizens and legitimate migrants"

The 'Right To Rent' element of the bill has came under criticism.

Labour's Andy Burnham voiced concerns over landlords avoiding renting to tenants who they suspect might be immigrants, predicting the policy could lead to “widespread discrimination”. 

The results of  the 'Right To Rent' pilot scheme that was carried out over the first half of this year in the West Midlands are still not published. The Economist claims seven landlords were fined under the   the 'Right To Rent' pilot scheme.

Many in the industry feel the required checks are another unfair burden on landlords, who would be forced to take on the role of 'border control' - checking documentation of any potential tenant. 

Any landlord who fails to make adequate checks of a tenants immigration status will be liable to a £3,000 fine.

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