Reform vows it will get tough on ‘profiteering migrant landlords’
11 months ago | 5 comments
Government is expecting more landlords to accommodate asylum seekers
9:52 AM, 16th June 2025, 10 months ago
66
Labour says that more private landlords will need to play a bigger role in housing migrants, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The move will help meet Labour’s pledge to phase out migrant hotels, saving taxpayers an estimated £1 billion annually, as stated during last week’s Spending Review.
The decision to shift away from hotels, which currently cost £145 per night per asylum seeker compared to £14 for private accommodation, aims to ease financial burdens.
However, critics are warning that doing so will increase competition among renters for homes.
Backlog of asylum claims
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told the Telegraph: “No matter how much Rachel Reeves may claim [Labour] will get the backlog of asylum claims down – immigrants will still need a place to stay.
“With experts warning that the Government will get nowhere near their target of delivering 1.5m new homes, the British people must come first when it comes to access to housing.
“Accommodating illegal immigrants in flats takes up valuable space needed by our own young people.”
Nathan Emerson, the chief executive of Propertymark, also warned that competition or homes in the private rented sector was stiff with an average of seven applicants for each home.
Serco among PRS contractors
In recent months, Property118 has reported on a bid by the Home Office to encourage three contractors to find more PRS homes.
They include Serco, which is offering landlords guaranteed five-year rental contracts, including full rent paid on time, along with free property management.
Property repairs, utilities and council tax bills are also covered.
The National Audit Office revealed in May that asylum seeker housing costs could reach £15.3 billion, triple the £4.5 billion initially projected by the previous Conservative government in 2019.
That’s despite a 15% reduction in hotel use from 38,079 asylum seekers in December to 32,345 by March.
The Local Government Association welcomed the plan to close hotels but stressed the need for early council involvement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who vowed to end hotel use for asylum seekers before last year’s election, faces mounting pressure to balance housing demands while fulfilling this commitment.
Tags:
Labour asylum policy, local councils asylum accommodation, migrant hotels UK, National Audit Office asylum costs, private landlords asylum seekers, Rachel Reeves housing policy, Serco landlord deals, UK asylum seeker housing, UK Housing Crisis, UK rental market pressure
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Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 73
1:28 PM, 23rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 23/06/2025 – 12:38
Dont be naive, they come here because of the massive benefits and the fact they can then bring in their families after they are accepted. Plus they work quite happily on the black market as soon as they arrive.
We do not need these people, the UK is full. We need targeted immigration bringing skills, not endless randoms who have limited skills, do not speak enough English and will not help the UK develop.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
1:36 PM, 23rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 23/06/2025 – 12:59
£70 a week. And the rest. UC, Housing Benefit, free healthcare, bring the family and then breed more…No qualifications, no job opportunities…take and never a demand to put back in…..
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 389
1:40 PM, 23rd June 2025, About 10 months ago
Bemused, the way you are looking at it is the just one of the reasons the UK is in such a mess. There isn’t room for compassion where illegals are concerned. The sponge is dry and whatever drops are left is being taken by the illegals. Do they care ? Certainly not .
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 85
11:58 AM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 22/06/2025 – 21:51
But most are NOT fleeing from danger. They are leaving their wives and children in their own country and coming here illegally and it’s young men in droves who are turning up and getting the red carpet treatment. Don’t try and tell me that these young men have good intentions when all I keep hearing is how ungrateful they are and hanging around schools or stalking young girls. I’m petrified in my own country because the government doesn’t care about it’s own people. So you carry on housing them but don’t try and make us feel bad because you won’t succeed.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 85
12:16 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 23/06/2025 – 12:38They are lucky to get that plus all the other freebies they get for nothing which the taxpayer is paying for. Some people who were born and bred here, and have contributed to taxes and everything else and who have had major accidents, are not entitled.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 85
12:21 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 23/06/2025 – 12:38
But most of them are working for the delivery companies. Do your homework
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 84
1:01 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sheridan Vickers at 26/06/2025 – 12:21
Do your homework is not respectful to me. Please remove that comment.Asylum seekers are not allowed to work. Just because delivery drivers often have brown skin does not mean they are asylum seekers.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 85
1:20 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 26/06/2025 – 13:01
I know they’re not allowed to work and I never mentioned skin colour (you did) but they are working for uber eats etc so again, do your homework
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 85
1:25 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sally Robinson at 23/06/2025 – 12:46
So true and spot on. Don’t think it will shut “Bemused” up. Think its on the wind up!
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
2:03 PM, 26th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Bemused at 26/06/2025 – 13:01
If you won’t ‘do your homework’ before commenting, you can’t complain when people pick you up on it. For example, have you seen the videos of illegal migrants living (for free) in hotels, going in and out with their uber, just eat, deliveroo branded food cases, and jumping on their electric bikes?