Non-compliance will be costly
In August 2023, the UK Government announced that agents and landlords who allow rental properties to be let to migrants who do not have the right to be in the UK will face much larger financial penalties in future.
Agents and landlords who knowingly rent properties to unauthorised migrants will face penalties of up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier for a first breach. Repeat breaches could cost them up to £10,000 per lodger and a maximum of £20,000 per occupier.
No change to how checks are carried out
In England, landlords must prevent people without legal immigration status from renting homes. In practice this means they must check that someone has the right to rent before letting a property to them. There are different ways to do this, like checking documents manually or using the Home Office online system.
Helping our members comply
Propertymark worked with the Home Office and UK Border Agency to answer the questions asked by landlords and agents about Right to Rent.
We also created a tenant guide to Right to Rent which helps renters understand the scheme and explains the checks their letting agent must do. We encourage agents to share this with their clients.
