The Home Office has just announced that with effect from 1 February 2016 all private landlords in England must check new tenants have the right to be in the UK before letting their property to them.
Under these rules landlords who fail to make this check could face a penalty of up to £3000 per tenant.
Judith Davis from Penyards Property Management explains what this means in practical terms: “If you are a private landlord, have a lodger, are sub-letting a property or you are an agent appointed by a landlord to make right to rent checks you have to make the appropriate checks to ensure the tenant has the right to be in the UK.”
Original documents have been specified which must be checked with the tenant present to prove this. Copy documents must then be kept on file as proof that the check has taken place.
This new legislation is part of the ongoing reform by the government to the immigration system.
If you are a private landlord and would like to know more about this new regulation and any other new lettings legislation that has been introduced this year the lettings team at Penyards Property Management will be happy to advise. Call the office on 01962 860303.
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