What is Right to Rent?
Right to Rent legislation was introduced by the government in February 2016. The Home Office has produced this document to give guidance on the requirements of landlords under this legislation and who should be checked. The Home Office has also produced a user friendly guide that outlines the specific documents that a landlord may request from students to assess their 'right to rent' that can be accepted as a tenant's proof of their right to rent.
The following article appeared in Housing Matters, Issue 111 (April 2016), which is a bulletin produced by the National Homelessness Advice Service, and their authorship is acknowledged. Whilst the article was written for housing advisors, we believe that the contents are also useful for landlords and agents.
What does it mean for students?
The new legislation will also impact on most students, as landlords have to carry out checks on your identity and immigration status to ensure you have the 'Right to Rent'. Details about these checks are detailed in this factsheet. There are exemptions in place for purpose built student accommodation, meaning you will not be subject to checks if you are living in private halls or university owned halls.
You can also view another useful article on the impact on students, also appearing in Housing Matters, Issue 111 (April 2016).