Changes to ‘Right to Rent’ rules will make it easier for letting agents and landlords to check the status of tenants, the Government promises.

Under new Right to Rent regulations of the EU Settlement Scheme anyone with ‘pre-settled status’ will be able to prove it easily, officials say.

The changes mean that anyone who fails to apply for ‘settled status’ will not lose their right to stay in the UK.

Easy to demonstrate

“The changes announced today will ensure it remains easy for status holders to demonstrate their rights in the UK,” the Home Office says.

The Home Office also said it will change the duration of ‘pre-settled status’ extensions from two to five years.

And it will remove the pre-settled status expiry date from the digital profiles shown to third parties in the online checking services for Right to Rent.

Alongside this change, letting agents and landlords will not be required to conduct a further Right to Rent check where the individual remains in a tenancy agreement.

Huge fines

Last year, a huge increase in fines for letting agents failing to complete Right to Rent checks on behalf of landlords was announced.

For landlords the fines increased from £80 per lodger and £1,000 per occupier for a first breach to up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier.

Repeat breaches will be up to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier, up from £500 and £3,000 respectively. The higher penalties came in at the start of this year.

Read the full Home Office announcement here