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 landlords 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.
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