Civil penalty fines for employers and landlords in the UK will increase from February 13, 2024, as part of the government’s crackdown on illegal working and renting.
Summary
- Penalties for illegal working or renting will more than triple, with fines reaching up to £45,000 per illegal worker for employers and up to £5,000 per lodger for landlords.
- Employers and landlords must conduct specific checks before employment or tenancy begins to avoid penalties.
- Online checks are increasingly common, but manual checks are necessary when online verification isn’t feasible.
Top Tips
- Conduct checks before employment or tenancy starts to avoid penalties.
- Understand the stages of penalty administration: breach, referral, information request, decision, and payment.
- Promptly respond to civil penalty notices with objections and evidence.
- Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions and affect future sponsorship abilities.
Read the full updated Home Office “Code of practice on preventing illegal working: Right to Work Scheme for employers” here.