Landlords are being reminded that the Right to Rent deadline is only a couple of weeks away. This new law means that as of February 1st, landlords are obliged to carry out quick and simple checks to ensure that any potential tenants have the right to rent property in the UK.

As of the 4th January this year, landlords are permitted to carry out the vital Right to Rent checks; as these can be done 28 days before a tenancy agreement is due to commence.

Right to Rent was first introduced in parts of the West Midlands in December 2014, and the extension to England is the next phase in its national roll out.

Any landlord, including those who sublet or take in lodgers could face a £3,000 penalty per tenant if it’s found that any of their tenants do not have the right to rent in the UK.

The government have been working with a panel through the successive implementation of this legislation across the UK, which includes trade bodies, local authorities and charities.

The panel included Stephen Gabriel, Homes and Communities Strategic Manager, Sandwell Council, who reported that: “Landlords felt carrying out checks was good practise, and that the new system was easy and simple to follow.”

“Right to Rent is part of the Government’s wider reforms to the immigration system to make it stronger, fairer and more effective. Those with a legitimate right to be here will be able to prove this easily and will not be adversely affected. The scheme is about deterring those without the right to live, work or study in the UK from staying here indefinitely,” added James Brokenshire, Immigration Minister.