UKALA Identifies Key Concerns With Immigration Bill
UKALA IDENTIFIES KEY CONCERNS WITH IMMIGRATION BILL
The UK Association of Letting Agents has highlighted serious concerns about the Government’s Immigration Bill, when called to give evidence on behalf of letting agents to Parliament’s Public Bill Committee.
Building on comprehensive discussions with both the Department for Communities and Local Government and Home Office, UKALA used the opportunity to bring letting agents’ doubts about the plans to the immigration minister attention.
UKALA IDENTIFIES KEY CONCERNS WITH IMMIGRATION BILL
The UK Association of Letting Agents has highlighted serious concerns about the Government’s Immigration Bill, when called to give evidence on behalf of letting agents to Parliament’s Public Bill Committee.
Building on comprehensive discussions with both the Department for Communities and Local Government and Home Office, UKALA used the opportunity to bring letting agents’ doubts about the plans to the immigration minister attention.
Speaking after the evidence session, UKALA Executive Caroline Kenny commented:
“Whilst letting agents are well equipped to carry our checks, and do so on behalf of landlord clients every day, the legal requirement to periodically monitor and report on the immigration status of tenants could affect their ability to conduct business and the safety of their staff.
“UKALA is deeply concerned that the Bill’s requirements will further restrict access to housing for people from outside of the UK, or with non-standard requirements. Many areas of the UK have very competitive lettings markets and it is entirely conceivable that landlords will instruct agents to favour those tenants they perceive as ‘low risk’.
“UKALA agrees that landlords and letting agents should act responsibly to ensure that only tenants with the proper permission to reside in the UK are granted new private tenancies. However, we believe it is not appropriate to make housing professionals responsible for policing country’s borders”.
View UKALA’S full consultation report response here.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Sam Haidar
Senior Press Officer, UKALA
0207 840 8925
press@ukala.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About UKALA:
The UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA) is a trade association representing businesses which facilitate the rental of private residential property in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. All revenues generated are used by the association to support and benefit its members.
UKALA exists to support letting agents who are committed to improving conditions in the private rented sector. UKALA membership requires all applicants to be vetted against UKALA safeguards, and only if the following four requirements are met can lettings agencies become members and be covered by UKALA’s CMP insurance.
- Written confirmation from their bank that they have a clearly segregated client money account.
- Written confirmation from their accountant(s) that their business finances are in order.
- Proof of a minimum level of Professional Indemnity Insurance, to be confirmed by Hamilton Fraser Insurance (HFIS) at the time of application.
- Provide proof of membership of either the Ombudsmen Services or The Property Ombudsman (TPO) as part of independent redress.
Once accepted agent members are required to abide by the UKALA Scheme Rules and Code of Practice; to ensure the highest standards of professionalism and an assurance of quality in residential lettings for both landlords and tenants.
UKALA is dedicated to continuously improving conditions in the private rented sector, by ensuring that landlords and tenants are treated fairly and that best practice is understood and adhered to in residential lettings. www.ukala.org.uk