New extension to temporary Right to Rent rules
The Government has announced that temporary changes to Right to Rent checks, first introduced to minimise face-to-face contact, will remain in place until the end of September 2022.
Adjusted checks were originally introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in March 2020. They allow for Right to Rent checks to be carried out online.
The end date for the temporary measures has been extended several times, to give landlords more time to adjust. The NRLA had written to the Home Office on the issue.
Now, it has been announced that the temporary adjusted Right to Rent checks will remain in place until 30th September inclusive.
The reason for the latest extension is following positive feedback received after the Government’s announcement enabling landlords to use Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to carry out digital checks on behalf of British and Irish citizens who hold a valid passport, from 6th April 2022.
According to the Home Office, deferring the end date of the adjusted checks to 30th September 2022 will ensure landlords have sufficient time to develop commercial relationships with identity service providers, make the necessary changes to their pre-tenancy checking processes and carry out responsible on-boarding of their chosen provider.
The decision also provides opportunity for landlords to put measures in place to enable face to face document checks if they do not wish to adopt digital checks for British and Irish citizens with a valid passport (or Irish passport card).
- Read more about Right to Rent checks in our detailed guidance for landlords