UK Begins ‘Right to Rent’ Immigration Checks in Five West Midland Towns

Britain launched the "right to rent" checks program in the West Midlands as part of the country's broader action to reduce immigration. The program is part of the UK Immigration Act's push to limit access to services, facilities and employment for illegal immigrants, as well as to simplify deportation procedures.

MOSCOW, December 1 (Sputnik) — The UK government launched its "right to rent" checks in the West Midlands as part of Prime Minister David Cameron's broader effort to reduce immigration numbers Monday.

"The right to rent checks are quick and simple, but will make it more difficult for immigration offenders to stay in the country when they have no right to be here," Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said in a statement as the new plan was rolled out.

Under the new rule, landlords in five towns including the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham, are now required to check prospective tenants' immigration status before renting out their property or otherwise face a 3,000-pound ($4,700) administrative fine. The checks are expected to be expanded across the United Kingdom after the current experiment is evaluated by the Home Office next spring.

The "right to rent" checks were introduced in May as part of the UK Immigration Act's push to limit access to services, facilities and employment for illegal immigrants, as well as to simplify deportation procedures.

Stricter rules have been introduced as the anti-immigration and eurosceptic UK Independence Party gains ground both at home and in the European Parliament, reflecting concerns about immigration among the electorate ahead of the general election scheduled for May 2015.