The government is upping the penalty for housing illegal migrants from £80 to £5,000 per lodger from 2024, making it far more damaging for landlords affected.
Per occupier fines will be raised from £1,000 to £10,000. Repeat breaches meanwhile will rise to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier, up from £500 and £3,000 respectively.
Robert Jenrick, minister for immigration, said: “Making it harder for illegal migrants to work and operate in the UK is vital to deterring dangerous, unnecessary small boat crossings.
“Unscrupulous landlords and employers who allow illegal working and renting enable the business model of the evil people smugglers to continue.
“There is no excuse for not conducting the appropriate checks and those in breach will now face significantly tougher penalties.”
Since the start of 2018 landlords have been hit with over 320 civil penalties worth a total of £215,500 for breaching Right to Rent.
Landlords can either use an online checking system from the Home Office or check documents manually to make sure they aren’t caught out by Right to Rent rules.
