If you are in one of the areas soon to be trialling Right to Rent – the carrying out of immigration status checks on all prospective tenants – you will undoubtedly have some concerns and questions.
Even if you are not in one of the pilot areas, you may feel the need to get up to speed on the issue, since Right to Rent is due to be rolled out nationally next year.
Here is a very good new interview, courtesy of Property Tribes, with solicitor David Smith of Anthony Gold.
Comments (1)
Jupiter!!!!!! If I follow the comments correctly ALL new tenants or lodgers will require verification some time in 2104 (after December 1 for pilot area in West Mids) to confirm they are not an immigrant and those that are have the right to be here. The foremost requirement for existing UK citizens eg you and me to prove you are domicile (born and breed here) is a nightmare, as the interview confirmed many won't have all the documentation required? Young tenants and lodgers for example who have no passport. The other interesting point was the letting agent is fully liable no matter what, even if a third party reference company is used and get it wrong. The only get out of jail was to make your terms of business confirm full responsibility for the checks was to be done by the landlord and the letting agents not to get involved. Now that's a good service and way to treat your for landlords! One can only hope the pilot scheme shows up any pitfalls are not workable and changes are made.