Right to Rent Checks Have Never Been More Important

The recent data from the Home Office highlights the significant consequences of non-compliance with the Right to Rent scheme. Since its implementation in 2016, over 400 fines have been issued, totalling £265,000. This underscores the increasing importance of conducting thorough Right to Rent checks for landlords and letting agents to avoid penalties. Ensuring compliance not only protects landlords from financial repercussions but also aligns with legal responsibilities, making it crucial to stay informed and vigilant in adhering to these regulations.

What is the Right to Rent Scheme?

The Right to Rent scheme, introduced in February 2016, mandates that landlords and letting agents verify that all occupants of their property have the legal right to reside and rent in the UK. This requirement extends to private landlords and those letting to lodgers.

Failing to comply can result in significant penalties, with fines reaching up to £3,000 per tenant if they are found to be living illegally in the UK. Ensuring compliance is essential to avoid these costly fines and legal repercussions.

The Importance of Right to Rent Checks

The Home Office has issued 405 fines for non-compliance with the Right to Rent scheme since its introduction in 2016. This highlights the critical need for landlords and letting agents to conduct thorough Right to Rent checks. While the average fine per tenant is £654, significantly lower than the maximum of £3,000, total penalties amount to £265,000. The busiest period for fines was from April to September 2017, with 151 fines issued. Ensuring compliance with Right to Rent checks is essential to avoid these costly penalties.

A Controversial Scheme

The Right to Rent scheme has faced significant backlash. Chris Norris from the National Landlord Association explains: “It’s important to remember that landlords are neither immigration experts nor border agents… The Right to Rent scheme has placed an additional cost on an already pressurised sector”.

Reports show that 11,300 Right to Rent checks are conducted daily in England, but the benefits are questionable. The scheme contributes to homelessness among refugees, who often face weeks of waiting to receive the necessary Right to Rent documents to secure a tenancy. This delay leaves many without stable housing, further complicating their situation. The costs to landlords for handling these checks amount to £4.7 million annually.

We Have the Answer

Simplify Right to Rent Checks with No Letting Go

At No Letting Go we offer a comprehensive service to handle Right to Rent documents as part of our Check-In procedures. Our team can verify that tenants’ documentation complies with the scheme, matching the documents to the tenant’s appearance.

Lisa Williamson, Business Development Director for No Letting Go adds, “we have worked successfully with both letting agents and landlords across the UK since February 2016 to ensure that Right to Rent documentation complies with this legislation. Our bespoke reports clearly confirm that the tenant’s original identification documents appear to be genuine and are a true likeness. With the tenant’s permission we also photograph them holding their photographic ID as further evidence that they are a true representation. This service has proved invaluable to agents and landlords who have not had the opportunity to personally meet the tenant/s prior to their occupation of the property.”

Explore No Letting Go’s full range of services to simplify your letting process.