The temporary adjustments to Right to Rent checks have now ended
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The temporary adjustments to Right to Rent checks have now ended

The changes that allow letting agents to complete these checks remotely came to an end in England on 30th September and the Home Office have updated their criteria.

The Covid-adjusted checks are now no longer accepted and agents should carry out the correct procedure that applies to each individual applicant.

From 1st October, agents and landlords responsible for tenancy applications and repeat Right to Rent checks can now return to manual face-to-face checks with records kept, where the applicant offers eligible UK or Irish ID.

Alternatively, where an agent wants to offer a digital check to UK and Irish nationals, they can use Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT). This must be via a paid-for UK-government certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP). Where an IDSP is offered, agents must not discriminate against British and Irish applicants who choose to have their identity checked offline.

IDSPs allow prospective and existing tenants to verify their identity remotely and prove their eligibility to work or rent. All IDSPs need to be accredited by the UK Accreditation Service and meet the UK Digital Identity Attributes Trust Framework requirements.

A list of certified IDSPs can be found here.

Checks on overseas nationals with a home office immigration status can be processed using the Home Office’s digital share code system, which can be accessed by agents free of charge.
 
For EU citizens without settled or pre-settled status, the list of ID eligible for checks has also been reduced because they must be processed as overseas nationals.

Those who fail to comply with this new legislation could face a civil penalty, and failure to complete the correct Right to Rent checks could result in prosecution.

Please see the link to the Government website which provides further details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-landlord-right-to-rent-checks.

Rent4sure’s comprehensive Right to Rent check facility makes it easy to comply with complex legislation and to fully integrate these checks seamlessly into your current referencing process. 

You’ll be able to check documents with confidence and verify that they are genuine. We keep track of all relevant legislation and provide you with clear and friendly information and advice, helping to keep you within the law and aware of what your obligations and responsibilities are.

Should you need it, our team of Customer Development Managers are on hand to give you further support and guidance with your Right to Rent responsibilities.

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