New rules on digital Right to Rent checks introduced
New rules on electronic Right to Rent checks have come into force today.
Right to Rent checks were introduced in England in 2014 to ensure only those lawfully present in the UK can access the private rented sector.
Landlords with properties in England must check that all tenants over the age of 18 have a legal right to rent before they sign a tenancy agreement – with penalties of up to five years in prison for getting it wrong.
Registered providers
Landlords have a number of options when it comes to carrying out the checks and can either carry out a manual right to rent check, using hard copy documents, a Home Office online right to rent check or a virtual right to rent check using a RtR DVSP.
The secondary legislation that has come into force today makes it mandatory to use a registered digital verification provider, known as a RtR DVSP, if you opt to carry out the checks electronically.
It has also updated code of practice to reflect the fact that you should use one of those same registered providers if you plan to use facial recognition software to check your tenants' identities.
In addition, an update to the discrimination code makes it clear you should not demand tenants provide a specific form of ID when it comes to performing checks, or tell them they have to agree to a specific method.
The Government is keen to move to a fully digital immigration system, and started issuing eVisas in 2018. Landlords whose tenants have eVisas are able to evidence their right to rent using the Home Office online service.
For a step-by-step guide you can read the Governments’ guide to right to rent checks.
More information
- Our award-winning training academy runs an immigration and right to rent course. For more information and to book click here.
- To read the NRLA guide to conducting Right to Rent checks click here.
