An independent evaluation of the Right to Rent scheme by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) uncovered a number of negative impacts on tenants and landlords as a direct result of the scheme.
The main findings are as follows:
- There is evidence that landlords are prepared to discriminate against those with complicated immigration status and those who cannot provide documentation immediately.
- Many landlords have found the checks confusing and have therefore undertaken them incorrectly.
- The ‘Code of Practice for Landlords’ and the ‘Code of Practice on Avoiding Discrimination’ are difficult for landlords and agents to understand.
- Due to the timing, location and duration of the ‘pilot’, it cannot capture the impact of the policy if rolled out nationwide.
- The policy has not and will not achieve its stated aim to deter irregular migration or prevent irregular migrants from settling in the UK.
“No Passport Equals No Home”: An independent evaluation of the ‘Right to Rent’ scheme was published in September 2015.
