Immigration Act 2016 Update

Posted on November 4th, 2016

Immigration Act 2016

The Home Secretary announced on 4 October that provisions in the 2016 Immigration Act relevant to the private rented sector will be brought into force across England. Today, we can announce that, as of 1 December 2016, these two further measures will come into force. They will:

• Make it easier for private landlords to evict illegal migrant tenants.

• Create new criminal offences for rogue landlords and agents who knowingly, or with reasonable cause to believe, let to illegal migrants.

The measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to tackle illegal immigration, and its determination to take the necessary steps to protect public services and access to the private rented sector for our lawful residents. Today, we are sharing the news of this implementation date with you and the key points below.

Key Points

• From 1 December, landlords could be charged with a criminal offence if they know, or have reasonable cause to believe, that they are letting to an illegal migrant.
• From 1 December landlords can end tenancies for occupants with no right to rent.
• For details of these specific measures, please visit the Residential Tenancies fact-sheet available on Gov.uk
• For information on the wider Immigration Act measures, please visit the Immigration Act page on Gov.uk

Further information about both provisions will be made available on Gov.uk between now and December.  If you have any further questions you may refer to your Local Partnership Manager, if you are unsure who this is please email the LPM Support Team (I&SDLPMSupportTeam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk).