Right to Rent Check Needed by Landlords

The government has announced that as from 1 February 2016, all private landlords in England will have to check that any new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting out their property (right to rent).

Essentially landlords will have to check the immigration status of any prospective tenants or other authorised occupiers to ascertain whether those people have the right to occupy the property before granting a tenancy.

In general terms a British citizen or a national of an EEA state or Switzerland will have the right to rent. However if a person requires leave to enter or remain in the UK and they do not have such permission, then they will not have the right to rent.

Private landlords should also be aware that there is a continuing obligation on them to ensure that someone’s right to occupy does not lapse and any breaches could lead to a civil penalty of up to £3,000.

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents