The Greater Bristol Letting Agency
0117 973 9394
Accommodation Unlimited Letting Agents

Right to Rent Regulations in the UK - Are you read

Today, the Right to Rent regulations come into force throughout England.  Do you know what they are and if you do, what are you as a landlord going to do about it?

Your Obligations as a Landlord

Firstly let me explain what the Right to Rent regulations are:  Put very simply it is your responsibility as a residential landlord to make sure your new tenant has the right to live in the UK. The Right to Rent does not apply to existing tenants, only new who plan to move into a property you own and/or manage.

This is a minefield for landlords and like all minefields needs very careful navigation.  Failure to comply with these regulations could mean a £3,000 fine.

Here are our top tips to stay on the right side of the law:

  • Check everybody

Just because someone tells you they have a right to be in the UK doesn’t mean they have.  All your prospective tenants whatever their accent, their colour or creed, need to have their documents checked.  Just because they appear to be OK doesn’t mean they are.  Ask to see their passport in the first instance

  • Originals only

If your tenant give you a photocopy of their documents it is NOT acceptable.  You must see the original documents and you must copy them and keep them on file.

  • Is the photo correct?

All documents must be checked with the tenants present, no exceptions.  So if you agree to let a property to someone who is currently living abroad, it must be subject to passing right to rent document checks.

We at Accommodation Unlimited have been making the required checks on all prospective tenants for 3 months. 

Visit the following UK Government site for more guidance:

Right-to-Rent-Guidance

If you have any concerns regarding Right to Rent checks and documents then call Peter Ellis, Managing Director of Accommodation Unlimited on 0117 9739394