What is the Right to Rent Scheme?

Recent changes in the Law mean that if you are looking to rent out your property in Maidenhead after February 1st 2016 the Government will require Landlords (or their agents) in England to undertake ‘Right to Rent’ checks on all tenants. This is part of the Government’s Review of Immigration Control Policies.

A Landlord or his agent is likely to need to undertake these checks if they:

• are a private landlord
• have a lodger
• are sub-letting a rented property
• are an agent appointed by a landlord to make right to rent checks

Acceptable documents to prove that a tenant has a right to rent include:

• a UK passport
• EEA passport or identity card
• permanent residence card or travel document showing indefinite leave to remain
• Home Office immigration status document
• certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen

If you are required to make these checks and do not do so you may be fined up to £3,000.

The good news for those of you already struggling with red tape is that a landlord is not required to take any action in relation to residential tenancy agreements entered into before the date upon which this requirement comes into force, or which are renewed after that date if the renewed agreement will be between the same parties and there has been no break in the tenant’s right to occupy the premises.

Click here for more information on the Right to Rent checks.