OVER the past few years our industry has been bombarded with new legislation. The most recent of which is The Right To Rent Act.
This makes landlords or their agents responsible for checking everyone’s right to reside in the UK. If the tenants are not UK or EEA citizens then not only their photo ID needs checking but also their visas and immigration papers. All of which, need to be verified and confirmed as originals.
For landlords that manage their own properties this responsibility is theirs. The fine for not checking everyone and keeping verified colour copies secure in line with Data Protection guidelines is £3,000. Landlords should check that they have seen in the presence of the tenant and can verify as the original, every adult tenant’s photo identification that is moving into their property after 1 February 2016. Where the tenant is from outside the UK or EEA they also need to see original visas and immigration papers that give them the right to reside in the UK. If these documents do not give indefinite right to reside, then the papers should be checked annually or at the beginning of any new tenancy, whichever is most frequent.
At Chelton Brown we are offering a service to these landlords that want to manage their own properties, but want to be sure they comply with this legislation. This service will also cover a number of the other onerous responsibilities.
For more information about this or any other property related issue call one of our experienced professionals at Chelton Brown on 01604 603433