A spokesman from the Department for Communities and Local Government said:

The government is taking action to stop rogue landlords who cash in from housing illegal immigrants. These measures will send out a strong signal and help reduce unsustainable immigration.

We will avoid burdening the private rented sector with unnecessary red tape and any changes will not adversely affect UK nationals looking to rent.

More information on the legislative detail will be published in due course, and the reforms will be subject to scrutiny by Parliament.