Landlords with properties in England must check that a tenant has a Right to Rent within the UK. You don't need to do this check in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Referencing reports ordered through OpenRent provide advice for the landlord on how to check a tenant's right to rent. Unfortunately, we can't check a tenants right to rent for you, since the law says that the original documents must be checked in person, with the tenant present.
The report will, however, let you know in detail what you are required to do to make sure you meet your legal obligations as a landlord. You can also check this Government guide for further information.
The Law on Checking Right to Rent
Under the Immigration Act 2014, landlords must check that all their tenants have the right to rent in the UK. This can only be done by landlords, not OpenRent or one of our partners, because it requires checking the original, physical documentation that proves the tenant's right to rent while in the presence of the tenant.
Guidance on Checking Right to Rent
We have had a landlord law expert write an in-depth explanation of this which can be accessed here.
We also advise you read the government's guidance on right to rent, which can be found here.
The government also provides a free helpline: 0300 790 6268, as well as other online information which can be found here.
We always recommend that landlords take and retain copies of tenant ID documents, but remember that you must see the original documents.