What is a Right to Rent check?
A Right to Rent check is a legal requirement for landlords to complete before the start of a tenancy. A Right to Rent check indicates whether or not a tenant or lodger has the right to rent a property. As a landlord, you can ask your letting agent to ensure that it is completed. We complete Right to Rent checks for all sizes of companies and organisations across the property sector, from property owners to landlords and letting agents. At Checkback International, we use Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to digitally confirm the identity of the prospective tenant. IDVT is compliant for use in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Right to Rent Checks were implemented to make it more difficult for people to live and rent illegally. Right to Rent gives lettings agents, landlords and property owners reassurance that any prospective tenants have legal status to live in the country that they are planning to rent a property in.
A Right To Rent Check is an ID check that is carried out before a property has been let. Right to Rent checks must be carried out on all prospective tenants over the age of 18, whether or not they are named or listed on the tenancy agreement. Right to Rent checks identify those people who are allowed to be in the country, by confirming their right to Rent. Those without permission to be in the country do not have a Right to Rent. It is important that all prospective tenants should be checked for the Right to Rent, rather than only those from overseas.
How to do a Right to Rent check
Before signing any tenancy agreements, the landlord or agent must request a Right to Rent check on anyone who will be using the property as their main home. This should be done no sooner than 28 days before the start of the letting.
A property is defined as the ‘main home’ if:
- The tenant will live there most of the time.
- The tenant will keep most of their belongings there.
- The tenant is registered to vote at the address.
- The tenant is registered with a doctor at the address.
- The tenant has a child/ren or partner living at the address.
At Checkback International, we use Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) and have been approved as an Identity Service Provider (IDSP). Checkback International offers these checks digitally, which dramatically reduces the time required to check and streamlines the process in terms of administration.
Identity Service Providers (IDSPs), including Checkback International, have met Government standards to carry out digital Right to Rent checks.
Right to Rent with Checkback International
A Right To Rent Check will not only confirm the identity of prospective tenants, but they can help to eliminate renters that may not be who they claim to be. This can help decrease the risk of broken tenancy agreements or renting to unsuitable tenants.
At Checkback, we understand that fast and reliable checks are essential to the smooth running of your business. Working with Checkback International, you will be working with your Client Account Manager who will create your client profile and get your checks underway.
In the fast-paced property sector, you can outsource your Right To Rent Checks to us and we’ll ensure that they are completed, with reports sent directly to you. Our full-service management means that we trace your checks through the system, troubleshooting any issues and keeping progress on track.
Working with your Client Account Manager, they’ll take all the applicant information required and liaise directly with the applicant to ensure that the check will be completed quickly and without fuss.
Valid documents for a Right to Rent Checks
As your Right to Rent partner, we will digitally alert your tenant that a Right to Rent check is being run on them. We will request that they digitally submit the following original documentation, depending on their nationality:
EEA or a Swiss citizen:
- A valid passport
- A valid EEA/Swiss national ID card
- A valid UK driving licence and original UK birth certificate (for British citizens only)
Other international nationalities will require a combination of:
- A valid passport
- A valid visa
- A valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
Right To Rent for Landlords
Depending on status of your tenant, there might be further checks to be completed. After the initial check, you may also need to carry out a follow-up check if your tenant’s permission to stay ends at any point. This should be completed 12 months after the initial Right to Rent check or whenever their permission to stay expires.
RTR checks
If they fail the subsequent follow-up check, it is your responsibility to tell the Home Office. Failure to report an incomplete Right to Rent follow up could be considered as a serious offence, with a fine possible or even imprisonment for up to five years.
