Right to Rent: government appeal date set

5 Sep 2019 12:23 PM

The government’s appeal against a damning ruling by the High Court that the Right to Rent breaches human rights law will be heard in January.

Following a Judicial Review of the policy secured by the JCWI and supported by the RLA, the presiding judge concluded that discrimination by landlords was taking place “because of the scheme.”

In his judgment he said that discrimination by landlords was “logical and wholly predictable” when faced with potential sanctions and penalties for getting things wrong.

The government confirmed it was to appeal to decision, with the case scheduled to be heard on January 14-15.

The Court of Appeal has agreed the RLA will be able to submit written and oral evidence, ensuring that the views of landlords are to be at the centre of the case. 

Under the Right to Rent policy, private landlords face potential imprisonment of up to five years if they know or have “reasonable cause to believe” that the property they are letting is occupied by someone who does not have the right to rent in the UK. 

It was introduced by Theresa May when Home Secretary as part of the Home Office’s hostile environment for immigrants.