Right to Rent Fines Increase Today
Fines for failure to implement a Right To Rent check before agreeing a tenancy have increased to up to £20,000 today, making compliance even more important.
Fines for non-compliant Right to Rent checks have increased today (13 February 2024) with fines increasing to up to £20,000 for repeat offences, meaning that it's even more important that landlords ensure that they check the right to rent of all applicants in England before they enter into a tenancy agreement.
The fines applicable have increased from £80 per lodger to £5,000, and from £1,000 per occupier to £10,000! Repeat breaches of Right to Rent checks will lead to fines of £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier!
A Right to Rent check "prevents those without lawful immigration status" from renting a property illegally in the UK.
Landlords need to check the Right to Rent of prospective tenants and anyone else who will use the rental property as their main home, before the tenancy agreement officially starts - and in the 28 days before that start date for tenants with a time-limited right.
In addition to undertaking the Right to Rent checks, landlords need to keep accurate records for 12 months after the tenancy agreement ends. Failure to keep these records can result in an unlimited fine and/or up to five years in prison.
Landlords and lettings agents have a legal responsibility under the Immigration Act 2014 to prevent anyone without lawful immigration status from renting a property in the private rented sector.
How to conduct a Right to Rent check
To conduct a manual Right to Rent check, a landlord needs to see the original documents that prove your tenants' Right to Rent. You then need to check these documents in your applicant's presence, to assess if the documents are genuine and not tampered with, and that your applicant's identity matches the document. You can find a list of accepted documents on the government's website.
Alternatively, if the applicant doesn't have the necessary documents, you can use the Home Office Landlord Checking Service to conduct the check. Landlords can request this check by completing an online form. Once the check is complete, landlords need to keep a record of the certificate of application and wait until receiving an answer before starting the tenancy agreement.
Our managed services means we'll conduct the Right to Rent check for you
We understand the importance of conducting thorough Right to Rent checks, and we're here to help. We have the knowledge and expertise to carry out the checks quickly and efficiently, ensuring that you remain compliant with the legislation and reducing the risk of these increased penalties or even further legal action.
Don't risk the financial and legal consequences of non-compliance with Right to Rent checks. Contact us today to find out how we can help you manage your property portfolio and remain compliant with the legislation.
