London housing. Photo: WikicommonsMary and Tony are a British couple of Chinese descent. One of their sister’s and her baby son, also British, were staying with them. The landlord told the couple that he could face a big fine if they didn’t provide the passport and immigration status of the baby. After contacting the housing and homelessness charity Shelter for help, the couple decided to move out before their tenancy came to an end because they felt they had been harassed out of the property.
Sara is an Australian citizen. She is married to a French citizen, who is working in the UK. Sara has submitted an application to the Home Office for a document showing her right to stay in the UK. Sara already has the right to remain in the UK by being married to a French citizen, but wants a document proving this to help her find work. Unfortunately, Sara’s relationship has become abusive, and Sara has finally got the courage to leave the marital home and find her own place. She has been looking for a new accommodation for over one month. The last estate agent she went to initially agreed to give her a tenancy, but, after taking from her the agency fee of £250, told her that they couldn’t go ahead because they are not satisfied that she has the right to rent. As the wife of a French citizen, Sara does have the right to rent.
Sara and Mary and Tony are not the intended targets of the “Right to Rent Scheme” that was rolled out by the UK government on 1 February, yet they are victims of it. It is just one of the provisions of the Immigration Act 2014. The Secretary of State Theresa May has made no secret of her intention with passing the act; to create a hostile environment for those who are in the UK without immigration status. However, as the above examples demonstrate, the provisions have caused discrimination against individuals who have every right to be in the UK, including British citizens.
