UK Immigrants and the new 'renting' laws...

So, when the UKBA gets a straightforward application, and it takes them 4 to 7 months, sometime much longer, to respond and process the application, and you have to apply based on THEIR deadlines, and it does not coincide with your UK letting agreement, and they keep your passports during that time (and even if you use a checking service, you do not have any proof that your visa has not expired!)... Where will the UKBA be providing safe housing for all of the Legal Immigrants who are rendered homeless by (understandably) paranoid and confused landlords?

I'm just wondering... Will it be in a nice area?

Maybe Notting Hill?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/queens-speech/10042767/Landlords-told-vet-migrant-tenants.html

Just wondering, do you actually want to live in the UK?

Nope.

But, I'm here, for now.

Just wondering, do you actually want to live in the UK?

Not sure what that has to do with anything.

I want to live here, but that doesn't stop me from seeing flaws in the system and questioning them. No country is better for having citizens or residents who blindly follow and never question.

Agreed. 10000%.

Well said ymberlenis!!!

Anyway, back to topic? 

I'm guessing you'll have to provide the same types of information that folks often have to show to employers, GP receptionists, etc -
Copies of visas and print-outs from the UKBA website that say "Whilst you're application is being decided you are legal per your last visa" - etc

I do suspect they'll be folks with difficulties (mostly those who move on student visas-work visas without a British spouse) with landlords not knowing the laws and rights to live, etc and will cause some headaches -afterall, landlords won't know if you're forging a visa document or not.  There will probably have to be a UKBA helpline or something. 

Yeap, only going to make things harder.  Wonder what my landlord will think? 

I understand that the government wants to combat illegal immigration, but it doesn't seem right they're expecting landlords to take on the responsibilities of the UKBA. Also, like Lara said, I'd be concerned about the people who are here legally who might get caught out while the UKBA holds their documents hostage for half a year or more. 

I don't think it will actually go through - didn't labour try something similar in the last goverement?

Maybe they should just give all of the 'Legal Immigrants in the UK' some sort of 'special arm bands' so that as we are walking around, doing things like... Renting flats, and applying for jobs, and visiting the GP... We can be easily identified.

Have any governments in the past ever tried to do anything like that?

I mean, it would really make it a lot easier on the British public, and the British government... They would be able to readily identify ALL of us, right away!

 

Maybe they should just give all of the 'Legal Immigrants in the UK' some sort of 'special arm bands' so that as we are walking around, doing things like... Renting flats, and applying for jobs, and visiting the GP... We can be easily identified.

As pointed out on Question Time last night, what the government are requesting isn't something that isn't already happening. That is already the law, it's all smoke and mirrors by a government pandering to the right and responding to the UKIP vote.

Won't they just make it an unoffical policy not to rent to any foreigners? 

It sure seems easier than facing some big fine.

Won't they just make it an unoffical policy not to rent to any foreigners? 

It sure seems easier than facing some big fine.

Not sure, we have asylum seekers living next door, they are placed by the local authority. I spoke to the owner of the house, and he was telling me that he was going onto this scheme whereby he rented his house to the local council and they effectively sub-let it. He is guaranteed his rent whether there is actually someone living in the house or not.

Won't they just make it an unoffical policy not to rent to any foreigners? 

It sure seems easier than facing some big fine.

Well, many UK employers have made that move, so why not landlords too? It makes perfect sense to me.

British Flats for British People.