Right to Rent: Online system to be available later this month
A new online system which will enable non-UK nationals in England to evidence their Right to Rent status will be launched on 25th November, it was announced this week.
The Government also published updated guidance on Right to Rent. The guidance states that:
As of 2 November 2020 nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States of America are now able to prove their right to rent status differently. To do this, these prospective tenants will need to show the landlord their passport and a paper or electronic document (such as a boarding pass) showing entry into the UK within the last six months. Alternatively, they can also get approval via the online Landlord Checking Service.
Digital Right to Rent checks
On 25th November, a new online system allowing landlords to check the Right to Rent status of non UK nationals will be operational. This will be free to use, and entrants to the UK will be able to enter their details, including a photograph on the Government's site which they can then give access to the landlord or their agent by providing their 'share code' and date of birth to the landlord to access their part of the new online checking site.
To establish right to rent in these cases, once the landlord has the access details, they will have to visit www.check-right-to-rent.service.gov.uk and verify the identity of the prospective tenant against the details available on their page.
This option does support video calls, making it easier for landlords who cannot meet their tenants in person.
Coronavirus and temporary changes to Right to Rent
In England, landlords are normally required to carry out Right to Rent checks of prospective tenants. This requires a landlord to meet all adult occupiers in person before the tenancy is signed, and check they have one, or potentially two valid documents to show they have a right to rent in England.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Right to Rent checks were temporarily adjusted by the Government for landlords to be able to carry them out differently. These temporary changes still apply, and mean that:
- checks can be carried out over video calls
- tenants can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals
- landlords should use the Landlord’s Checking Service if a prospective or existing tenant cannot provide any of the existing documents
