Tripling of Fines for Employers Overlooking Right to Work Checks
Legal news and views
This is a guest blog by business partner Amiqus
On Monday, August 7th, the Home Secretary revealed a significant forthcoming increase in civil penalties. Employers and landlords who do not diligently verify the Right to Work status of their candidates or who lease their properties to ineligible tenants will be subject to heightened fines.
The proposed legislation will be introduced to Parliament in the autumn, with the anticipated
implementation in early 2024.
For recruiters, initial breaches could incur fines of up to £45,000 per worker – a threefold increase from the previous adjustment in 2014. Repeat violations will carry even steeper penalties, reaching a maximum of £60,000.
Similarly, landlords who rent their properties to unauthorised tenants will face penalties of up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier for a first breach. Repeat breaches could cost them up to £10,000 per lodger and a maximum of £20,000 per occupier.
This presents a challenge for recruiters and landlords whose Right to Work and Right to Rent compliance processes are not up to standard, thereby increasing the likelihood of errors.
Statistics from the Home Office reveal that since the start of 2018, almost 5,000 civil penalties have been issued to employers with a total value of £88.4m. Meanwhile, landlords have been hit with over 320 civil penalties worth a total of £215,500 in the same period.
By adopting digital identity verification technology (IDVT) with a certified identity service provider, employers and landlords can ensure compliance with the latest Right to Work and Right to Rent regulations. Opting for a certified digital provider will ensure your checks are conducted to the highest standard and follow the latest regulation. This will protect businesses from hefty fines and reputational damage.
Are you a recruiter or landlord looking to improve your approach to conducting essential checks? Discover how Amiqus can help your business achieve full compliance and reduce the risk of fines.
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