What are ‘Right to Rent’ Checks?

15 Jan 2016

by Shabari

After 1st February 2016 the UK Government will require Landlords (or their agents) in England to undertake ‘Right to Rent’ checks on all tenants. This is part of the Government’s Review of Immigration Control Policies. You are likely to need to undertake these checks if you:

• are a private landlord
• have a lodger
• are sub-letting a rented property
• are an agent appointed by a landlord to make right to rent checks

Acceptable documents to prove you have the right to rent include:

• UK passport
• EEA passport or identity card
• permanent residence card or travel document showing indefinite leave to remain
• Home Office immigration status document
• certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen

If you are required to make these checks and do not do so you may be fined up to £3,000. A landlord is not required to take any action in relation to residential tenancy agreements entered into before the date upon which this requirement comes into force, or which are renewed after that date if the renewed agreement will be between the same parties and there has been no break in the tenant’s right to occupy the premises.

If you are a Landlord we can look after this on your behalf. Contact us on 01344 860 121 for more details.