Right To Rent rules for agents relaxed during virus crisis

The government has relaxed some provisions of the controversial Right To Rent regulations for the duration of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The temporary changes will mean the Home Office will not require agents, landlords and employers to see original documents and will allow checks to be undertaken over video calls.

This means that during the outbreak prospective renters and workers are now able to submit scanned documents, rather than originals, to show they have a right to rent or right to work.

A Home Office statement says checks continue to be necessary and it is an offence to knowingly employ or let property to anyone who does not have legal immigration status in the UK.

If a prospective or existing tenant or employee cannot provide any of the accepted documents, the landlord or employer should use the Landlord Checking Service or Employer Checking Service.

According to Home Secretary Priti Patel: “Once the temporary changes end, landlords and employers will be asked to carry out the full checks on existing tenants and employees who rented a property or started work during the pandemic.”

Right to Rent remains a controversial provision opposed by most lettings industry groups. Right to work checks are a requirement on employers to make sure a job applicant is allowed to work in the UK before employing them.