Right to Rent: Changes for EU Nationals

Right to Rent: Changes for EU Nationals

The government has made a further announcement on the 18 June 2021 concerning the Right to Rent: Changes for EU Nationals. The announcement confirmed that the temporary adjustments for right to rent checks in England will now end at the end of August 2021. To align with the UK Government’s announcement on the 14 June 2021 to extend the date for the easing of lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures.

Until the 31 August 2021 the adjusted right to rent checks can be used. From the 01 September 2021, landlords or agents must either:

1. Check the applicant’s original documents; or

2. Check the applicant’s right to rent online (if the applicant has given you their share code).

Changes from the 01 July 2021 for EU Nationals

EU Settlement Scheme

Since December 2020 (when the UK left the EU), there has been a grace period where EU nationals, nationals from the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) and/or Swiss nationals have been able to apply for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for these applications is the 30 June 2021.

Settled Status/Unlimited right to rent

If an EU, EEA national and/or Swiss citizen is granted settled status. They have an unlimited right to rent.

Pre-settled Status/Time-limited right to rent

If an EU, EEA national and/or Swiss citizen is granted pre-settled status, they have a time-limited right to rent, and landlords or agents (on the landlord’s behalf) will have to carry out follow-up checks after 12 months or just before the end of the leave to remain (whichever is later).

Visitor status

In November 2020, a new procedure was introduced for nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Nationals of these countries need only show a passport together with a document (such as a boarding pass) showing entry into the UK within the last six months in order to rent.

Online Checks and Physical Documents

The Home Office may issue EU, EEA nationals and/or Swiss citizens evidence of their immigration status digitally, in which case landlords and agents can only use the Home Office online service to prove their right to rent.

Some EU, EEA nationals and/or Swiss citizens will hold physical documents of their immigration status. Landlords and agents will need to see the original documents. Check these in the presence of the holder of the documents and make copies. You should always keep copies in accordance with data protection for a few years after the agreement ends.

Further Information

For further information on the right-to-rent checks click here .

As the changes do not come into force until the 01 July 2021.