RentProfile has updated its referencing checks platform to support letting agents with Right to Rent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proptech firm has made the necessary updates to support agents and tenants following the government Right to Rent changes, especially as England returns to lockdown.

Before Covid-19, the law required either a landlord or letting agent to meet the tenant and review the Right to Rent documentation in person, then taking a copy. But to stay compliant to social distancing measures, the government has permitted checks to be carried out digitally, via electronically sent and verified Right to Rent documents.

The government advises for Right to Rent checks to be carried out as follows: the tenant sends a scan or photo of the required document(s) to the agent or landlord, which is then cross-referenced via a video call with the tenant, where they must hold up their original document. RentProfile automates this process during their Referencing checks.

RentProfile’s online Right to Rent check has been embedded into their referencing and onboarding products.

The RentProfile Right to Rent process works as follows:

1. The tenant is asked to upload their documentation during the Referencing process. Agents can also take a photo and upload copies of the Right to Rent documents themselves using their Agents mobile app.
2. RentProfile asks for the tenant’s preferred video call platform and their account ID. Agents can either allow RentProfile to conduct necessary video calls, or the agent may review the documents online and conduct the video call themselves.
3. Where documents may expire RentProfile alerts agents of this and prompts the tenant to provide an updated document.

RentProfile recommends that agents make clear in their terms to landlords that they will be conducting the Right to Rent checks on their behalf.

The system ensures that tenants’ sensitive documents are stored safely, without having to be stored on the landlord or agent’s email or phone. On the agent dashboard, only those with relevant permissions, such as agent administrators, can access copies of Right to Rent documents, like copies of passports.

Beyond Covid-19, using the RentProfile Agents app allows an agent to securely take a photo of a tenant’s documents during a viewing, and if referencing is later requested, the documents automatically link to the tenant’s application.

Stephen Sanders, director at Sanders Property, commented: “Using RentProfile’s app for Right to Rent means I can do the check whilst on a viewing, saving myself and the tenants the need to meet again. That the docs are organised within my RentProfile account and I am alerted to them expiring is extremely helpful.”