Virtual Right to Rent checks extended (Quick Read)

Just a quick update for you landlords out there.

The government announced yesterday that the virtual checking of a tenants right to rent has been extended to the 5th April 2022.

The removal of face to face or original document checking was in response to the pandemic, and this was due to come to an end on the 31st August. The virtual checks appear to have been a great success and as a result of this feedback MHCLG say, they have decided to increase the deadline.

The launch of their online checking service may well be part of the reason behind this as they are keen for both tenants and landlords (or their agents) to use this method. And to be fair it does make life a great deal simpler by removing much of the to-ing and fro-ing of obtaining documents. Afterall there is plenty of other paperwork to be getting on with!

So, for now virtual checks remain. This means you can do one of the following:

• ask the tenant to submit a scanned copy or a photo of their original documents via email or using a mobile app
• arrange a video call with the tenant – ask them to hold up the original documents to the camera and check them against the digital copy of the documents
• record the date you made the check and mark it as “adjusted check undertaken on [insert date] due to COVID-19”
• if the tenant has a current Biometric Residence Permit or Biometric Residence Card or has been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme or the points-based immigration system you can use the online right to rent service while doing a video call – the applicant must give you permission to view their details

We’ll keep you posted on updated guidance as we get closer to April next year.

Please note the date this article was published as the law may have changed since it was posted. You should always seek independent legal advice if you are intending to rely on any of the contents.