If you're a homeowner or landlord looking to rent out your property, it's important to understand the process of verifying the right to rent. This guide will provide an overview of the right to rent checks and how to carry them out correctly. The right to rent is a set of guidelines that help landlords, homeowners and leasing agents correctly carry out checks on the right to rent and avoid civil penalties. It's important to note that verification of the right to rent cannot be carried out more than 28 days before the signing of the lease agreement with the landlord. If you're renting your property to someone who is not a British or Irish citizen, they can usually prove their right to rent with their original immigration documents.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United States who are visiting the United Kingdom for up to 6 months can use a combination of their passport and proof of entry to the UK to prove their right to rent. If you're renting your property to someone who is waiting for an immigration decision from the Home Office, they must request a “right to rent” check from the Home Office. The Home Office must respond within 2 business days. If you have tenants who have paid their rent on time in the past, you can prove their right to rent by showing them their lease agreement and the rent book or bank statements. It's less common for private landlords to check credit history as this may take longer. If you're renting your property to someone who does not have the correct documents or a valid participation code, they must use the landlord's check service to request a check from the Ministry of the Interior regarding their right to rent. If your tenant can prove their right to rent with an accepted original document, you cannot insist that they use the online service instead. It's important to note that if you rent your property to someone who has no right to rent it in England, you can receive a fine of up to 3,000 pounds sterling for each tenant or be sent to prison.
Read a summary of the checks on the right to rent and the civil penalties landlords may face for illegal rentals. A link has been added to a new guide for homeowners on right-to-rent checks from undocumented Commonwealth citizens. By following these guidelines and carrying out proper checks on the right to rent, homeowners and landlords can ensure that they are compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. This will help protect them from any potential fines or other penalties.
