Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Politics

Brexit will stop landlords renting to EU nationals under Right to Rent scheme

The government has not told landlords how to handle tenants' changing immigration statuses after Brexit

The worst-affected areas were London, the south west and the east of England, where the poorest households shelled out over 50% of their monthly income on even the cheapest available rents.

The most expensive areas were London, the south west and the east, where the poorest households shelled out over 50% of their monthly income on even the cheapest rents.

Landlords are warning that the rental market could become even more hostile to non-UK citizens after Brexit.

Under the Right to Rent scheme, private landlords are expected to check tenants’ immigration statuses and could be fined up to £3,000 for every person without the right to rent found in a property.

But ministers have failed to publish any guidance on the implications of Brexit or any advice on how best to navigate the process after the UK leaves the EU – leaving experts concerned that more landlords will be hesitant to let homes to non-UK citizens.

David Smith, policy director for the Residential Landlords Association, said: “Landlords are not border police and cannot be expected to know who does and who does not have the right to live here. 

“The government needs to publish clear and practical guidance for landlords about who they can and cannot rent to. If they do not, more landlords will become increasingly fearful about renting to non-UK nationals with the potential of facing prosecution.

“The result will be they will avoid renting to anyone who is not a UK national making life difficult for EU nationals.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

Two thirds of all EU nationals living in the UK are in private rented housing.

Last month, a High Court judge ruled that the Right to Rent scheme breached human rights law and led to discrimination by landlords.

The initiative was introduced by Theresa May as Home Secretary as part of the government’s ‘hostile environment’ policy package designed to target illegal immigrants.

Meera Chindooroy, policy and public affairs manager at the National Landlords Association, said: 

“The current advice from the government is for landlords to keep doing what they’re doing for Right to Rent checks. It’s unclear if and when that will change. 

“Landlords are worried about ensuring they remain compliant with legislation. However, we are also waiting to see what the outcome of the recent High Court ruling will mean for this particular policy and whether that will result in changes to avoid landlords potentially discriminating against would-be tenants from outside the UK. Regardless, clearer guidance would be beneficial to allay any concerns.” 

RLA research suggested that around a fifth of landlords are less likely to rent to nationals from the EU or the EEA as a result of Right to Rent – a figure which could increase post-Brexit.

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
First minister John Swinney: 'Eradicating child poverty is the best thing I can do for Scotland'
Politics

First minister John Swinney: 'Eradicating child poverty is the best thing I can do for Scotland'

Danny Dyer: 'I don't trust Keir Starmer. Why Angela Rayner's not leading things I don't know'
Danny Dyer in his Big Issue tabard
Danny Dyer

Danny Dyer: 'I don't trust Keir Starmer. Why Angela Rayner's not leading things I don't know'

North East mayor Kim McGuinness on ambition, austerity and why she's the 'ultimate pragmatist'
North East mayor Kim McGuinness
Exclusive

North East mayor Kim McGuinness on ambition, austerity and why she's the 'ultimate pragmatist'

Nadhim Zahawi: 'The line between being on the street and being chancellor is very, very slim'
Nadim Zahawi
Letter to my Younger Self

Nadhim Zahawi: 'The line between being on the street and being chancellor is very, very slim'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know