What is modern day slavery?

Modern day slavery is an umbrella term encompassing several forms of exploitation, including human trafficking, slavery, servitude, and forced labour. To help recognise potential signs of modern day slavery, you should familiarise yourself with the terms and definitions.

Slavery

Someone is in slavery if they are compelled to work under the threat of mental or physical harm. They are often controlled by an ’employer’ through abuse or threats, treated as property, and have their freedom restricted.

Servitude

Similar to slavery, servitude imposes an obligation to provide a service but lacks the element of ownership.

Forced labour

Forced labour involves work or service extracted under the threat of penalties, and the individual has not volunteered for it. Forced labour has been uncovered in various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality.

Human trafficking

Human trafficking occurs when individuals, both adults and children, are moved and coerced into exploitation, which can be international or within the country.

Modern slavery victims may experience multiple forms of exploitation simultaneously, making it a complex and challenging issue to combat. Some common forms of exploitation include sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminality, organ harvesting, domestic servitude, forced marriage, and financial exploitation.

How to identify modern slavery

It’s important you stay aware and vigilant of the signs of modern slavery. Here are some indicators to look out for:

Identifying individuals:

• Are the occupants in possession of their own identification documents?
• Can the occupants communicate independently, or do they rely on others to speak for them?
• Do they appear to be acting under instructions or coaching from someone else?
• Do they have freedom of movement? Or do they appear withdrawn and fearful?

Identifying households:

• Are the occupants jointly transported to and from the property?
• Are there signs of poor living conditions, overcrowding, or subletting?
• Have there been reported issues like noise or waste that suggest potential problems within the property?
• Do the people occupying the property match the names on the tenancy agreement?
• Is the rent payer different from the person occupying the property?
• Is one person paying rent on behalf of multiple individuals, and is that person named on the tenancy agreement?
• Has someone offered to pay the full cost of the tenancy upfront?

How to prevent modern slavery in your property

As a responsible landlord, there are several steps you can take to help prevent modern slavery in your property:

Background checks

Conduct thorough background checks and references to understand who will be residing in your property. Ensure prospective tenants have the legal right to rent, but remember that modern slavery can affect individuals not subject to immigration controls.

Get to know your tenants

Ensure you know the names of all individuals occupying your property. Require all residents to be named on the tenancy agreement and subject to background checks. You can also prevent subletting without your consent.

Monitoring payment records

Regularly check payment records. Pay attention to unusual payment patterns, such as tenants offering to pay the full cost of the tenancy upfront. You should also verify that payments match the names on the tenancy agreement.

Regular property checks

Conduct regular property inspections, with some councils recommending checks every six months. These inspections can help identify discrepancies in the number and identity of occupants and any property-related issues.

Community engagement

Maintain a positive relationship with neighbouring properties and the community. They may provide valuable information about concerns like disrepair or unusual activities whilst you’re not around.

Recognising unusual behaviours

During property visits, watch for unusual behaviours among occupants that may indicate slavery, as outlined above. Your neighbours may be able to help too.

What to do if you are concerned

If you suspect modern slavery at your property, never confront the tenants directly. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, report your suspicions to the Modern Slavery Helpline at 08000 121 700. A false alarm is better than overlooking a potential victim.

You can also seek advice from the National Landlords Association advice line at 020 3870 3777 or contact your council’s private-sector housing team.

Alternatively, in less serious instances, you can contact Safe Suffolk Renters.