All private landlords in England must make right to rent checks on their tenants from 1st February 2016. The law was created to tackle illegal immigration, as landlords must ensure their tenants have the right to live in the UK.
You must make the checks if you are a private landlord, have a lodger, sub-let a property or are a letting or management agent working on behalf of a landlord.
Making the checks
- Before you rent out a property, you must ensure that an adult tenant will live in the home as their only or main residence.
- You must ask all tenants for original documents that prove that they have the right to be in the UK.
- When the tenant is present, check the documents are valid.
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Then, make and keep copies of these documents and record the date you made the checks.
If a prospective tenant has an outstanding immigration application or appeal with the Home Office, you can request a Home Office right to rent check.
Tenants
All potential tenants seeking private rental accommodation will have their immigration status checked from 1st February 2016. Those that sub-let rooms must make the checks on other renters.
Documentation
Landlords will need to see certain documents that show their prospective tenants have the right to be in the UK.
Acceptable documents include:
- UK passport
- EEA passport or identity card
- Permanent residence card or travel document stating indefinite leave to remain
- Home Office immigration status document
- Certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen
Stick to the law
Landlords that do not make the checks could be fined up to £3,000 if they let a property to someone who is in the UK illegally.
These checks have been introduced as part of the Government’s reforms of the immigration system.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/right-to-rent-checks-what-they-mean-for-you
Are you ready for the checks?