Immigration Checks To Determine The 'Right To Rent'
Immigration Checks To Determine The 'Right To Rent'
And so, the election is now behind us and at its end three party leaders fell. Remarkably, one has already come back from the dead but poor old Nick and Ed will now be joining their comrades in voting for a new champion to try again in five years time.
With what seemed to take everyone by surprise, Mr Cameron's success came with an overall majority, so what can we expect in his second term in office with regard to Housing?
Back in January, we published an article which outlined a pilot scheme introduced in the West Midlands whereby letting agents and landlords had to conduct immigration checks on prospective renters to be sure of their "right-to-rent" status as per the Immigration Act of 2014.
Do they have the "Right to Rent"?
The Conservative led coalition introduced this measure in December 2014, promising a roll out nationwide, so it seems that this could be one of the first policies to be implemented by the Ministers for Housing and Immigration and may happen sooner than expected. Possibly as early as this summer!
If it does, make sure you follow the new procedures, as mistakes could lead to fines of up to £3000.
The 2019 Tenant Fees Act became law on June 1st 2019, banning administration fees for new tenancies. However, there was a transitional provision, meaning that for a period of twelve months, the Act did not apply to tenancies and letting agency agreements pre-dating 1 June 2019. This provision period is now over!
From 10 January 2020, all letting agents who manage properties which, individually, yield an income of 10,000 Euros per month (or equivalent) or more, must now comply with regulations set out in the Fifth Money Laundering Directive.
On 1st April 2019, the government made it mandatory for all property agents carrying out work in relation to housing in England to be a member of a Client Money Protection scheme.
From 1st June 2019 it will be illegal in England to charge any fees to tenants, licensees, guarantors, relevant persons or anyone acting on their behalf or guaranteeing their rent, other than a set list of Permitted Payments on new tenancies
