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Cracking down on Cambridge landlords
09 July 2009
Landlords in Cambridge could be visited by UK Border Agency officers from today as a campaign is launched to crack down on rogue landlords and illegal immigrants living in privately rented accommodation.
UK Border Agency officers will be conducting checks on landlords' tenancy records over the next few weeks. Anyone found without the required documentation could face a fine of up to £5,000 and six months in jail.
Gail Adams, UK Border Agency regional director, said:
'Our new local immigration teams are tracking down the most harmful illegal immigrants, responding to community concerns, and enforcing immigration laws.
'Working alongside Cambridge City Council and the police, our local team is determined to catch illegal immigrants and the rogue landlords who exploit foreign nationals by cramming them into sub-standard accommodation.
'We urge members of the public who have information that might help with this campaign to contact our Cambridgeshire local immigration team on 01480 499300.'
Anyone benefiting financially from the letting of residential accommodation - including landlords and agents - is required to keep a record of the name and nationality of everyone over the age of 16 staying in their premises.
If that person is a foreign national the landlord or agent must also note the number of the identity document shown. When a foreign tenant moves on the landlord should also obtain a forwarding address.
Under the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972 it is an offence for a landlord or any other private letting agent to give incorrect details or to fail to provide the required information. The maximum punishment on conviction is £5,000 and six months imprisonment.
Further information can be found on Cambridge City Council's website. The UK Border Agency will also be sending out an information pack to landlords in Cambridge.
Whilst taking steps to remove from the United Kingdom any illegal immigrants caught during their visits, UK Border Agency officers will also let Cambridge City Council know about any evidence of unlawful crowding they come across.
Last year the UK Border Agency removed one illegal immigrant every eight minutes.