Right to Rent commences 1 Feb 2016
Just a quick reminder to anyone letting through an agent or more importantly letting your property yourself. Please read the below to ensure you stay the right side of the law. Failure to do so could result in fines up to £3000:
Under Right to Rent, landlords or their agents should check identity documents for all new tenants, and take copies.
The documents include:
- a UK passport
- a European Economic Area passport or identity card
- a permanent residence card or travel document showing indefinite leave to remain
- a Home Office immigration status document
- a certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen
A full list of documents is available here
Agents should bear in mind that the checks should be carried out on all, not just some, new tenants.
There are codes of practice to be followed, including guidance on avoiding unlawful discrimination which was drawn up with the assistance of the Human Rights Commission.
There are four steps involved in making a Right to Rent check:
- Check which adult tenants will live in the property as their only or main home
- Ask tenants for the original documents that show they have the right to be in the UK
- Check the documents are valid with the tenant present
- Make and keep copies of the documents and record the date you made the check
If a potential tenant has an outstanding immigration application or appeal with the Home Office, you can conduct a check on that person’s ‘right to rent’ via the Landlords Checking Service.
Landlords and agents in the pilot area (Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) should continue to make the checks as they have been doing since December 1, 2014. Property Landlord services Brighton should follow also.
If you need any assistance for your property letting in Brighton, Hove, Kemptown and surrounding areas please feel free to contact us on +44 (0)1273 862221 or lettings@bishopsullivan.co.uk
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Best Regards,
Julian Bishop