British or Irish citizens are eligible to rent in the UK as well as foreign nationals who have Home Office permission to be in the UK.
Landlords are legally obliged to check the eligibility of any tenants to legally rent in the UK – also known as “right to rent”.
It is also in the landlords’ best interests to carry out thorough checks on any potential tenants to ensure that they are going to be reliable tenants and are financially stable.
As a landlord, it is crucial to only rent out your property to tenants who are legally eligible to rent in the UK to protect you from any costly legal ramifications. Tenant sourcing is one of the most difficult stages of being a landlord but one of the most important. At J Property Management, we pride ourselves on efficiently sourcing legal tenants who will pay on time and look after your property. Contact us today to discuss your tenant sourcing needs.
What is Right to Rent in the UK?
“Right to rent” is legal eligibility to rent in the UK. All landlords or letting agents in the UK must check that all tenants over the age of 18 have the right to rent before allowing them to rent your property. If renting to non-UK citizens, the right to rent check must be done a minimum of 28 days before the start of the tenancy.
What Checks Should Landlords Do Before Renting Out A Property In The UK?
Before renting out a property, UK landlords must carry out the following checks:
Right to rent
Checking that the tenants are legally able to rent a property in the UK. As part of this, you also need to check proof of identity. This involves checking a UK passport or driving license or, for non-UK citizens, valid Visa documentation or a residence permit.
Financial checks
Carrying out a credit check can make sure that tenants have a stable financial profile and will be able to meet rent payments.
Landlords could also request:
- Pay slips
- Employment contract
- Bank statements
- Open banking
- Financial statements
- Tax returns
- Letter from an accountant
References
It is advisable to get a reference for your tenant, usually from a previous landlord or their employer. Check for any missed or late payments, evictions or complaints. These checks are crucial as they help you assess the reliability of the tenant and the ability to meet financial commitments.
Aside from financial references, you may also need to provide:
Character reference
First-time renters won’t have references from former landlords but character references vouching for their reliability could come from friends, colleagues or family members.
Employer reference
A reference from an employer can confirm that the tenant works where they say they do and their salary. It is a good way to check job stability and financial reliability, along with pay slips, bank statements or a contract of employment.
Is it the Landlord’s Responsibility to Check the Right to Rent?
Yes, all landlords in the UK must check that any tenants over the age of 18 have the right to rent before beginning a new tenancy. It is the legal responsibility of the landlord to assure this, including checking all relevant documents.
If working with a letting agency or property management company, they will usually be responsible for checking tenants’ right to rent.
How Can You Check a Tenant’s Right to Rent in the UK?
For British or Irish citizens, you can use an online identity service provider to check their physical documents. If checking documents for a non-UK or non-Irish citizen, their original immigration documents can be used for the checks.
As part of these checks, you will need to use original documents that prove the right to live and rent in the UK and confirm that each tenant’s documents are genuine and truly belong to them.
Landlords need to make and keep copies of any documents, making a note of the date that the check was carried out.
What to Look For When Checking Eligibility to Rent in the UK
When checking the documents to prove a right to rent in the UK, landlords need to check that:
- The documents are originals
- They genuinely belong to the tenant
- The photos on the documents are of the tenant
- The dates of birth match across documentation
- The documents are in good condition
- The names match across documents (or if not, there are supporting documents to explain why, like a marriage certificate).
- Valid permission to stay in the UK (non-British or non-Irish citizens)
Can Foreigners Rent in the UK?
Yes, if you are a non-UK citizen you can still rent in the UK if you have permission from the Home Office to be in the UK. You will need to provide your passport or a valid immigration document which demonstrates this permission. The landlord or letting agent will take copies of your documents and carry out the relevant checks.
What Documents Are Needed To Rent in The UK?
Beyond providing right to rent in the UK, you will need:
- Proof of identity (passport or driving license)
- Proof of income (payslips, contract of employment).
- If no stable income, proof of sufficient funds to cover rent
- References from a previous landlord or employer
- Credit check
Find Legal and Reliable Tenants with J Property Management
Sourcing the right tenants is key for landlords – both from a legal and financial perspective. Carrying out thorough checks for each tenant can be time-consuming but can save you a great deal of stress in the future.
At J Property Management, we can handle the tenant sourcing for you, committing to finding reliable tenants who pay on time and look after your property. We carry out thorough checks, collect references and meet all tenants personally before deciding if they’re the right fit for your property.
If you want, we can even guarantee rent payments and handle the finances for you. Whatever your needs, we can help. Get in touch today!
