Posted by admin - February 1, 2016 10:14 am Right to Rent – A Landlords Responsibility

What do you need to know?

From 1st February 2016 all landlords are legally required to check that prospective tenants or lodgers have a right to rent property in England. Landlords can be fined up to £3,000 for failing to comply.

Carrying our checks

The checks must be made on all adults in the 28 days before the tenancy begins and applies to both those named in the tenancy agreement and any other adults proposing to reside at the property.

Landlords must see and take copies of original documents such as UK or EEA passport or work visa and these documents must be retained for at least one year after the tenancy has ended. Details of the type of documents that should be inspected can be found here

If a tenant has a time limited visa the landlord has a responsibility to carry out future checks to ensure the tenant is still entitled to rent and if they fail the checks the landlord is required to inform The Home Office. Failure to do so could result in a fine. The tenant can be evicted but the correct procedures must be followed.

Landlords can ask their property managing agents to carryout the checks on their behalf but must have a written agreement confirming that the agents will undertake this responsibility.