Blog
Are you ready for “Right to Rent”?
Monday, February 1, 2016
In 2015 The Home Office announced that from 1st February, the government’s “Right to Rent” policy would come into effect across England. So, from today, all landlords letting property in England are required by law to check the immigration status of prospective tenants (and take a copy of evidence of their “right to rent”) in a bid to make it harder for people to live in the UK illegally. Landlords will need to see original documents (and take copies) proving that the tenant has the right to be in the UK. Acceptable documents include UK or EEA passport, Home Office immigration status document or certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen. Landlords who don’t make the checks could be fined up to £3,000 per tenant or even face a prison sentence. So are you ready for “Right to Rent”?
Landlords’ responsibilities can seem overwhelming, particularly given the additional health and safety legislation that was brought in last year, but if you appoint a local licensed ARLA letting agent, like The Frost Partnership, you’ll have trained agents on hand to give you professional advice. What sets ARLA agents apart is their high standards of service and integrity. In line with ARLA’s Code of Practice they offer you the very best service levels throughout the letting and management of your property.
Chris Cotton, Manager of Lettings at The Frost Partnership, Middlesex says “As part of our service to landlords, we make sure they are kept up to date with any changes to their legal obligations. We organise full reference checks to confirm tenants’ suitability and Frosts full property management service enables you to let your property without undue stress or anxiety. What’s more, our FREE 12 month Rent Guarantee and Legal Protection cover (subject to the tenant passing the reference check) gives you complete peace of mind.”
If you would like an information pack about Right to Rent, complete with checklist of what is required from landlords or would like advice from your local ARLA licensed lettings team, please call your local Frost office.
