The changes have been made due to the coronavirus outbreak

The Goverment have introduced new measures to help Letting Agents and Landlords and carry out Right To Rent checks during the coronavirus outbreak until further notice.

As of the 30th of March, checks be now be carried out without having to see the tenant in person, which cuts out the need for social contact.

• Checks can be carried out via an online video, using modern technology available to us. You would need to ask the tenant to hold up the original documents to the camera so you can verify them.
• As an alterntive to providing original documents, Tenants can now send scanned documents or a photograph by mobile applications or email.
• Letting Agents or Landlords can also check the online Landlord’s Checking Service, if the tenant's can't provide any docouments.
• Within eight weeks of the temporary measures being lifted, full retrospective checks on tenants will be required (if applicable).

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, made the following statement;

"I have introduced these temporary changes to help employers and landlords conduct checks more easily as people follow advice to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives, during the coronavirus outbreak.

Once the temporary changes end, landlords and employers will be asked to carry out the full checks on existing tenants and employees who rented a property or started work during the pandemic.

The 'right to rent' scheme requires landlords to check that all tenants who occupy their properties have legal status to live in the UK. Right to work checks are a requirement on employers to make sure a job applicant is allowed to work in the UK before employing them."

If you have any questions regarding the new temporary measures then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Christopher Williams MARLA