Right to Rent: A Step-by-step guide

2024-06-04

Here at CHBL we’re dedicated to making the process of renting a property as straightforward as possible. We’ll take you through what’s required and how to secure a tenancy that’s exactly right for you…

The Right Tenancy

When renting a property there are a range of factors to take into account, but we’re on hand to provide advice that's up-to-date and specific to your needs. We’ll advise on the best ways to manage your rental budget, including utility and council tax bills, how to keep your deposit safely secured, and how to manage your tenancy as easily as possible.

Finding a Great Home

Once we get to know you and what you’re looking for, we’ll be able to provide you with a range of exciting choices. We’ll provide specific viewings and answer any questions you may have. These are likely to include straightforward, easy-to-solve issues like the bills additional to rent, the furniture and other items that come as part of the property, and the details of your deposit scheme.

We’ll also help you to make an offer to a landlord, how to get the best references and a comprehensive and fair tenancy agreement. A successful offer can mean the deposit being put towards the first month’s rent.

Standard Referencing and ID Checks

Our independent referencing agency means you're always protected. A simple application form, a proof of identification like a passport or driver’s license, plus a proof of address like, for instance, a utilities bill are all that are required for verification. For UK citizens, your passport confirms your right-to-rent, whilst anyone from abroad will need to provide proof of settlement status or a valid visa.

The Tenancy Agreement and Move-In Funds

We’ll provide a tenancy agreement for you to review and sign. This will explain in detail your responsibilities and rights, and we will, of course, be available to answer any questions you might have. The services your landlord provides will also be made clear, as will the scheme within which your deposit is held.

A security deposit of up to five or six weeks will be required.

Inventory and Help With Moving In

From the moment your tenancy starts, you’ll continue to have our full support. We’ll arrange for an inventory clerk to do a full report which you’ll be able to review and confirm you’re happy with. CHBL is part of the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS), the Property Redress Scheme (PRS) and The Association of Residential Letting (ARLA).

Our Guide to the Right To Rent

Right to Rent means having a legal right to live in the UK, without which you cannot rent a property. Any reputable lettings company is obliged to check that a potential tenant has the necessary immigration status before the tenancy starts.

A Right to Rent Check

A Right to Rent Check simply means your letting agency checking all tenants over the age of 18, even if they’re not named on the tenancy. It’s a very straightforward process that means verifying an original form of ID, or using an approved identity service (IDSP) or the Home Office’s ‘share code’ system to verify a tenant’s Right to Rent.

Right to Rent for Overseas Clients

For anyone seeking to secure a tenancy from abroad, landlords can agree to that tenancy in principle and an ID check on arrival in the UK is then all that’s required. It is, however, important to remember that if you’re unable to provide a valid ID and confirm your identity and your right to live in the UK you will, unfortunately, be unable to rent a property here.

If for any reason the Home Office is holding any relevant documents of yours due to an application or ongoing appeal, your letting agent can still request a Right to Rent Check.

How Immigration Status Can Affect Your Tenancy

Someone’s immigration status can mean being unable to rent a property in the UK. If sent a notice from the Home Office, it’s important a landlord take the necessary steps to end the tenancy within 28 days. Legal tenants will then be able to continue their tenancy if they continue to have the Right to Rent.