LANDLORD TENANT IMMIGRATION CHECKS

Early day motion 624, tabled 15 December 2014 by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 19 members.

That this House notes the introduction of the pilot scheme on 1 December 2014 of the requirement for private sector landlords to conduct immigration checks on their potential tenants; believes that the checks will lead to new fees from letting agents to all of Britain's nine million private tenants on moving to conduct these checks; further believes that almost no undocumented migrants will be caught as they will move into illegal tenancies and in doing so will create a new market for illegal and exploitative landlords; is concerned that the checks will encourage discrimination in the lettings process; further believes that it is morally objectionable to remove from any person access to shelter just as it would be to remove access to water or emergency medical care; and calls on the Government to abandon the scheme immediately.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Green 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.