Tweaks being made to the Right To Rent system should make it easier for landlords to complete the controversial process.

The government says it’s introducing a new online Right To Rent checking system – possibly as soon as next month.

This will allow the prospective tenant to view their official Home Office profile – which should, for example, carry data about the eligibility of the individual to live in the UK.

This can then be shared with the landlord if the individual wishes, through a ‘share code’ online access system; there will be strict safeguards to ensure the landlord can see only the appropriate Right To Rent information, and not any other data.

The National Residential Landlords Association says that it understands landlords will be able to undertake either the online check or the existing document-based check; online checks will, therefore, be a voluntary option whilst migrants and landlords develop familiarity with the new service.

The NRLA says EEA citizens will continue to be able to demonstrate their entitlement to rent to landlords by showing a valid passport or national ID card until June 30 next year.

The Coronavirus restrictions mean that changes introduced some months ago to the Right To Rent process continue in place, therefore:

– checks can be carried out over video calls;

– tenants can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals. 

You can see more information here.