End of Adjusted Right to Rent Checks Introduced During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The use of adjusted right to rent checks is due to end at the end of the month. Adjusted checks were introduced during the pandemic, to allow landlords and lettings agents to carry out right to rent checks online and for copies of ID documents to be verified, instead of originals.

From the 01 October 2022, right to rent checks will need to be carried out in person with prospective tenants producing original ID documents to prove that they have the right to rent in England. If the prospective tenants are UK or Irish nationals, these checks can be carried out on-line using a certified digital identity service provider (IDSP). Our Right to Rent Checklists specify what documents must be provided and verified in order to carry out a right to rent check.

Landlords and agents (acting on the landlord’s behalf) in England are required to carry out “right to rent” checks on prospective new tenants to ensure they have the right to rent in England. Landlords can face an unlimited fine or imprisonment for a period of five years if they do not carry out these checks correctly and allow properties to be occupied by people who are disqualified from renting.

As the changes do not come into force until 01 October 2022, the updated template Right to Rent Checklist for Residential Landlord and template Right to Rent Checklist for Lettings Agency will be available once these changes are in force.