Right to Rent Guidance – Updates October 2024

Landlord and letting agents in the UK must adhere to the regulatory changes that are associated with rental properties and rented accommodation.   

Not only is it essential for compliance, but it is also a legal requirement. Right to Rent checks require landlords to verify that prospective tenants have the legal right to live in the UK. In October 2024, updates to the Right to Rent guidance has been published and our easy-to-read guide will help you navigate these changes.

We’ll explore the key updates to the Right to Rent guidance and look at the changes around the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Why are Right to Rent Checks so important?

Introduced under the Immigration Act 2014, Right to Rent are designed to legally ensure that individuals that rent property in the UK have the legal right to reside in the country. Failure to conduct these checks properly can lead to fines, civil penalties and even imprisonment in some cases.  

The law requires landlords and letting agents to check the documentation, including the passport, visa, or other official documents, of potential tenants before they can rent a property to them, once establishing if they have the right to live in the UK.   

Latest Updates to the Right to Rent Guidance  

The updated Right to Rent guidance includes several important changes that landlords and letting agents need to be aware of. These updates aim to clarify acceptable documentation and address recent changes related to specific visa schemes.  

Updates to Annex C: Ukrainian Nationals and Right to Rent  

Ukraine’s combat situation has resulted in changes to various visa schemes for Ukrainian nationals, with Annex C recently updated to advise on schemes that are now closed. These recent changes also offer clarity on changes to the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Ukrainian nationals that applied to the Homes for Ukraine scheme after 19 February 2024, will now get 18 months’ permission to remain in the UK on their visa. This represents a reduction in the previously longer periods of stay. Landlords and letting agents must understand specific terms of a tenant’s visa if they have come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.  

Clarification on Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Endorsements  

There is now also clarification on what constitutes acceptable proof of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under List A Group 1. According to the updated footnote 1 in the guidance, ILR endorsements in a current passport from a Crown Dependency (such as Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man) are considered acceptable proof of a tenant’s right to rent.

This means, if a tenant presents a current passport with an ILR endorsement from a Crown Dependency, the passport document should be accepted as sufficient proof of the legal right to reside in the UK.   

How MyVetting.com Can Help with Right to Rent Checks  

Conducting Right to Rent checks can be time-consuming and requires a clear understanding of acceptable documentation and immigration status. To ensure compliance with the latest regulations and avoid potential fines or legal issues, landlords and letting agents can outsource these checks to MyVetting’s streamlined right to rent check solution.   

You can count on  

• Robust, secure screening  

• Compliance Assurance  

• Speed  

• Accuracy  

Landlords and letting agents using MyVetting.com can trust that they are fully compliant with the latest guidance, including the recent updates regarding ILR endorsements and Ukrainian nationals.  

Right to Rent Compliance   

As a landlord or letting agent, staying updated about the recent changes to the Right to Rent guidance is essential and could be instrumental in ensuring your compliance. Failure to comply can result in penalties, and in some cases, repeated non-compliance can lead to criminal charges. The Right to Rent regulations are part of broader immigration enforcement measures, and the government takes breaches of these rules seriously.  

By understanding the recent updates regarding Indefinite Leave to Remain endorsements and changes to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, landlords and letting agents can ensure they are conducting proper checks and avoiding expensive mistakes that could impact your bottom line and affect your professional reputation.   

Conclusion  

The recent updates to the Right to Rent guidance provide important clarifications for landlords and letting agents, particularly concerning Indefinite Leave to Remain endorsements and Ukrainian nationals. Staying compliant with these regulations is vital to avoid penalties and ensure the smooth operation of rental properties.  

Read the full updated guidance on the UK Government’s website.  

For landlords and letting agents who want to ensure they are always up to date with the latest regulations and compliant with the law, using a service like MyVetting.com can make the process simpler and more efficient.   

Start your Right to Rent check now.