A Changing Legal Landscape for Landlords
The Immigration Act 2014 introduces wide reaching and unprecedented obligations upon Landlords. For the first time it will be necessary for Landlords to carry out and provide evidence of checks on tenants entering into new tenancies, establishing that their immigration status allows them to rent a property in the UK or face civil fines of up to £3,000 per tenant or potential criminal penalties. These legal obligations have now come into effect for new tenancies across England from 1st February 2016.
There are many concerns over the awareness and ability of Landlords to comply with these new requirements, due to the complexity and variance of documents that need to be checked, and the administrative burden of maintaining up to date and accurate records.
New Service Expectations for Letting Agents
Modern land
lords expect a comprehensive range of services from their Letting Agent to ensure that they are fully compliant with all of their obligations. To meet the latest requirements, those undertaking checks need to have the skill and experience to correctly identify whether all tenants have the correct form of status to have the right to rent.
Immigration Law is a complex, specialised area, and there are a vast array of different status documents which can easily cause confusion with the repercussions of either: a) civil and/or criminal penalties for renting a property to someone who does not have the right to rent; or b) facing a discrimination claim (with uncapped damages) for refusing to rent a property to someone who does have the right to rent. The right to rent code of practice only allows specified types of documents to be relied upon to establish a right to rent.
A Solution from Right2Rent
Let our team do all the hard work
There are two options for letting agents to choose from, either a pay-as-you-go premium service, or registering for a free no-obligation Right2Rent account with many exclusive benefits.
Whichever option you go for you will be sure of the following:
Quality – Checks carried out by Law Society Accredited Professionals Choice – Benefit from immediate discounts on a ‘pay as you go’ service or buy bulk credits for substantial reductions Express – Initial response within 2 business hours Simple – Online Forms and Guidance to make the process easy Partnership – We will work with you to ensure you are complying with your right to rent obligations Certified – Our Right2Rent Certificate will immediately prove that Tenants have the right to rent Guarantee – Right2Rent take on legal responsibility for verifying the status of your client’s tenants Compliance – We store all documentation so that we can demonstrate compliance with all obligations under the Immigration Act 2014 Future Proof – We will contact you a month before your tenants’ right to rent expires so you continue to be compliant with all your legal obligations
Option 1 – Register for a user account
By registering for a Letting Agent Right2Rent Account, you could benefit from:
- New Revenue Streams – Adding to your current portfolio
- Unique – Your own log-in account with access to your own details
- Access – Previous Checks will be available to view on request
- Legal Resources – Access a bank of expert guidance documents
- Events – Unique Training and Promotional Events
- Free – Your first right to rent check will cost you nothing
- Reduced Cost – Immediately qualify for discounted Pay As You Go checks
- Bulk Discounts – Contact us for discounts on bulk purchase of credits
- No Obligation – Having an account is free with no contract
Option 2 – Use our Services on a Pay-As-You-Go basis
Certification Service
For a quick professional opinion on a tenant's Right to Rent backed up with a legal certificate
£10 plus VAT
Advice - Right to Rent checks carried out by real Law Society Accredited Professionals with tailored advice
Clarity- Our Right2Rent Certificate will give a definitive decision on your tenant's status
Express - Response within 2 business hours
Simple - Online forms make the process easy
Compliance - We securely store documents on your behalf
Affordable - Great value for money
Future Proof - Reminder Service for when future checks are due
Contract Free - Pay As You Go
Comprehensive Service
Where we take on legal liability by interviewing tenants, checking physical documents and certifying their immigration status
£25 plus VAT
Complete - Combine the benefits of our Certification service with our full verification service
Guarantee - We take on legal liability for Right to Rent checks
Convenience - Provide us Tenant's details and we do the rest
Interview - We interview the tenant so there is no need for the Landlord to meet with them
Document Check - Our Law Society Accredited professionals check the physical documents are genuine
Risk Free - We take on your liability for fines and prosecution
Formal Agreement - We will prepare an agreement confirming our responsibility for the Right to Rent Checks
Contract Free - Pay As You Go