Right to Rent checks mandatory in England from 1 February 2016

Last week the Home Office issued an updated version of the Right to Rent Code of Practice to be used by landlords and agents letting properties in England from 1 February 2016. The existing Code published for landlords and agents working in the phase one areas of the West Midlands continues to apply to properties within those phase one areas. Any ID checks or follow up checks which fall after 1 February will be subject to the new Code of Practice.

The new Code includes amended lists of acceptable documents for Right to Rent checks. The Home Office planned a more complicated structure for the ID lists with certain documents weighted for importance. However, our lobbying efforts have resulted in this structure being rejected in favour of the simpler existing system.
We continue to put pressure on the Home Office to publish an updated version of the Landlords’ guide to checking immigration documents. This guidance is an essential reference tool for agents faced with unfamiliar documentation.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire:

“Landlords with property in England need to prepare now for the new Right to Rent scheme to ensure they are ready for 1 February.

“Right to Rent is part of the Government’s wider reforms to the immigration system to make it stronger, fairer and more effective. Those with a legitimate right to be here will be able to prove this easily and will not be adversely affected. The scheme is about deterring those without the right to live, work or study in the UK from staying here indefinitely.”