Right to Rent Checks: What Do Kent Landlords Need to Know?

Right to Rent Checks: What Do Kent Landlords Need to Know? | 4-minute read

As a landlord in England, it's crucial to comply with Right to Rent regulations to ensure legal tenancy agreements.

While no specific changes have been announced for April 1st, 2025, staying informed and reviewing updated guidance regularly will help you remain compliant with the latest requirement. Now is a good time to review your responsibilities.

Understanding Right to Rent

Introduced in 2016, the Right to Rent scheme requires landlords to verify whether prospective tenants have the legal right to reside in the UK. Failure to conduct these checks could result in significant penalties, including first-offence fines between £5,0000 and £10,000 and repeat offences of between £10,000 and £20,000.

How to Conduct Right to Rent Checks
Landlords must verify the identity and immigration status of all occupiers aged 18 and over, regardless of nationality. This includes reviewing original documents, such as passports or biometric residence permits. Alternatively, landlords can use the Home Office’s online Right to Rent service, which provides real-time confirmation of a tenant’s status.

For British and Irish citizens, share codes aren’t available. Their documents must be checked manually or through a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP).

Keeping Accurate Records
Maintaining accurate records of checks is essential. Landlords should:

• Keep copies of documents reviewed, along with the date of the check.
• Retain these records for the duration of the tenancy and at least one year after it ends.

Best Practices for Landlords

• Stay Informed: Regularly consult government websites for updates to Right to Rent requirements.
• Be Consistent: Apply the same checks to all tenants to avoid discrimination claims.

Secure Your Records: 
Store documents securely, adhering to data protection laws.

To simplify these responsibilities, consider working with a professional letting agent, like Wards, who can manage Right to Rent checks on your behalf.

Find out just how we can help you with your rental property, here! 

Sources:

How to Check a Tenant's Right to Rent

Digital Identity Certification for Right to Rent Checks