Checking the right to rent is an essential step for landlords and leasing agents when entering into a lease agreement with a tenant. This process involves verifying that the tenant is legally allowed to rent in the United Kingdom. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to conduct a right to rent check. The first step is to inspect the original documents with the tenant present and make sure they are valid.
Make copies of the documents and record when the verification was completed. It's also important to perform follow-up checks at the appropriate time, such as rechecking when the tenant's visa expires. The Home Office introduced controls on the right to rent with the aim of making it difficult for people to live and work in England illegally. Leases in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not subject to right to rent controls. Certified identity service providers (IDSPs) are third-party providers that comply with a government standard to digitally verify the right to rent of British and Irish citizens holding a valid passport (including Irish passport cards). IDSPs offer convenient controls, but not all agents can offer checks with the right to rent through an IDSP (not even for this restricted group), and whether this is a suitable option for your lease will depend on several different factors.
You can see a list of IDSPs on GOV (UK).With new technology providers, landlords can remotely verify the identity of their tenants and prove that they are eligible to rent. Ask your tenant to give you their action code. If your tenant can demonstrate that they are entitled to rent using an accepted original document, you cannot insist that you use the online service instead. Once the verification of the right to rent has been completed, it is important to know what status you confer on the tenant. Accurately performing checks and keeping track of them will help owners and agents avoid fines for non-compliance.
You can then give the landlord this action code and they can use it to check your status using the View a Tenant's Right to Rent section. If some tenants of the shared accommodation have the right to rent, the landlord must go to court to obtain an eviction notice. Most landlords will ask a potential tenant to make a deposit, a sum of money that will protect them from losing money if the property is damaged or if rent isn't paid. Changes in the way in which individuals with pending applications with the EUSS prove their right to rent, see Annex C.
Conclusion
Conducting a right to rent check is an essential step for landlords and leasing agents when entering into a lease agreement with a tenant. It's important for landlords and agents to understand what documents are accepted as proof of identity and what tests they need to perform in order to prove their tenants' right to rent.If landlords cannot provide accepted documents that confirm their identity and their right to live in the UK, they won't be able to rent property in England. If some tenants of the shared accommodation have the right to rent, the landlord must go to court to obtain an eviction notice. In conclusion, it is essential for landlords and leasing agents alike to understand how important it is for them to conduct a right-to-rent check before entering into any lease agreement with a tenant. This process involves verifying that the tenant is legally allowed to rent in the United Kingdom by inspecting original documents, making copies of them, recording when verification was completed, and performing follow-up checks at appropriate times. Additionally, landlords must be aware of changes in how individuals with pending applications with EUSS prove their right-to-rent status.
Finally, landlords should also consider asking potential tenants for deposits as protection against any damages or unpaid rents.
