A WEST Dorset law firm is warning landlords to be aware of new immigration tenancy checks.

Battens Solicitors is urging landlords of a looming deadline for the start of "right t rent" checks, which comes into force on February 1 under the Immigration Act.

Landlords will be required to carry out immigration checks on tenants living under all types of tenancies created on or after this date.

It applies to people aged 18 and over living in a property, whether they are named in the tenancy agreement or not, and must be carried out even if there is no written contract.

The measures also apply to those providing homes to lodgers, sub-tenants and licensees.

Failures which result in a person without the right to rent living in their property could result in a fine of up to £3,000 per illegal occupant for the landlord.

Jacqui Swann, landlord and tenant specialist at Battens, said: “This right to rent scheme has trialled in the West Midlands since October 2014 and has proved unpopular with landlords and tenants alike.

“However, this is a scheme that cannot be ignored. Landlords must prepare to carry out the relevant checks accurately and without discrimination to avoid facing severe penalties.”

People with the right to live in this country are British citizens, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss nationals or adults who have obtained the right to rent in the UK.

Under the legislation, all landlords of privately rented properties are required to see original documentation proving a tenant’s right to live in the country.

Ms Swann added: “It is important that landlords do not fall foul of discrimination laws in selecting tenants.

“Such conduct would include deliberately avoiding tenants with foreign names or accents or only selecting tenants with British passports.

“Doing so would expose them to potential claims for discrimination by rejected tenants.”