Jun

Home Office extends Covid Right to Right rules deadline to end of August

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The government has extended the period during which the existing and more relaxed immigration Right to Rent regulations can be followed by two months.

This is the third extension and reflects the recent proposed delay to the Covid ‘freedom day’ in England by Boris Johnson last week to the 19^th July.

The period during which the Right to Rent temporary adjusted checking processes apply was expected to end on 16^th May but was then extended until 21st June and now 31^st August.

This means until then landlords will still be able to do online video identity checks and accept digital/scanned copies of Right to Rent documentation.

Then, from 1^st September onwards landlords and letting agents will revert to face-to-face and physical document checks as set out in legislation and guidance.

The Home Office says this will ensure both groups will have sufficient notice to put measures in place to enable face-to-face document checks.

“You do not need to carry out retrospective checks on those who had a COVID-19 adjusted check between 30 March 2020 and 31 August 2021,” the Home Office statement says.

“This reflects the length of time the adjusted checks have been in place and supports landlords during this difficult time.

“You will maintain a defence against a civil penalty if the check you have undertaken during this period was done in the prescribed manner or as set out in the COVID-19 adjusted checks guidance.”

Read the full Right to Rent regulations as they currently stand.

View Full Article: Home Office extends Covid Right to Right rules deadline to end of August