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Reminder to carry out retrospective Right to Rent checks when temporary lock-down measures cease

20/05/2020

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Sharon Stark , Senior Associate

The requirement for landlords to carry out Right to Rent checks continues to apply during lock-down. However, since 30 March 2020, the checks can be carried out over a video call and a scanned copy or photo sent to the landlord by email or a mobile app can be examined rather than originals.

The Home Office will announce when the temporary measures will cease and then landlords must carry out retrospective Right to Rent checks on tenants who started their tenancy from 30 March 2020 where the temporary measures were used or where a follow-up Right to Rent check was required from 30 March 2020 and the temporary measures were used. Landlords will have an 8 week grace period to carry out the retrospective Right to Rent checks.

Conducting a right to rent check during the temporary COVID-19 measures Ask the tenant to submit a scanned copy or a photo of their original documents via email or using a mobile app. Arrange a video call with the tenant – ask them to hold up the original documents to the camera and check them against the digital copy of the documents. Record the date you made the check and mark it as “an adjusted check has been undertaken on [insert date] due to COVID-19”.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-landlord-right-to-rent-checks