The Home Office has announced that the changes made to Right to Rent checks as a result of the Coronavirus Act 2020 have been extended to the 30 September 2022. This allows letting agents and landlords time to adjust their processes in preparation for the introduction of Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT).
Deferring the end date of the adjusted checks to 30 September 2022 ensures landlords have sufficient time to develop commercial relationships with identity service providers, make the necessary changes to their pre-tenancy checking processes and carry out responsible on-boarding of their chosen provider.
The decision also provides opportunity for landlords to put measures in place to enable face to face document checks if they do not wish to adopt digital checks for British and Irish citizens with a valid passport (or Irish passport card).
The following temporary changes were made on 30 March 2020 and remain in place until 30 September 2022 (inclusive):
-
checks can currently be carried out over video call
-
tenants can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending original
-
landlords should use the Home Office Landlord Checking Service if a prospective or existing tenant cannot provide any of the accepted documents
Checks continue to be necessary and you must continue to check the prescribed documents set out in Landlords Guide to Right to Rent or use the Home Office right to rent online service.
