Checking documents or performing an online verification of the right to rent is a must for landlords and leasing agents in the UK. They may also perform a credit check with your permission to see if you have had trouble paying bills in the past. This is to verify your identity and does not affect your credit score. It is important to check that a tenant or tenant can legally rent their residential property in England.
Landlords must check with the Home Office if the tenant is a Commonwealth citizen but doesn't have the correct documents; they may still have the right to rent in the UK. A credit check can help landlords learn about a tenant's previous history when it comes to paying off debts. If a tenant's credit report contains county court (CCJ) judgments or insolvency solutions, the landlord may decide that this indicates that the prospective tenant will have problems paying them in the future. All landlords in England must check the “right to rent” to ensure that tenants can legally live in the UK.
It is against the law to discriminate against someone based on their place of origin. NRLA credit checks are provided by TransUnion, one of the three main credit check agencies in the United Kingdom. Thousands of NRLA landlords have used it to help them find suitable tenants for their properties. Regular property inspections are vital for landlords and tenants alike.
The primary purpose of an inspection is to assess the general condition of the interior and exterior of the property and to record any repairs or maintenance that may be necessary. It is also a useful reminder for tenants about how they should care for the property and a way to maintain a good relationship between landlords and tenants. Inspections are an opportunity for all parties to ask questions and for tenants to discuss any problems they may have with the property. The tenant background check will help shed light on your tenant's tenancy history and financial background and will inform you of any criminal convictions your tenant may have.
As a last resort, if the tenant continues to deny access, you can try to enforce the contract with a court order to gain access. To do this, you can request access to a company specialized in legal services, such as Landlord Action. Other factors beyond your control, such as the fact that a previous landlord took the time to respond to a referral request, can also cause delays in the referral process. If you don't have any documents because you're waiting for an immigration decision from the Home Office, ask the landlord to request a “right to rent” check from the Home Office.
In addition to protecting your investment through regular inspections, you have an obligation to ensure to the tenant, to the extent possible, that the property is safe at all times. If you don't pass an immigration check, the landlord or agent cannot legally rent the property to you. The reference to a tenant involves a series of checks and checks to help landlords decide if a tenant is a good fit for their property. You may be able to get feedback from them, and whether you do or not, you can still review your credit report for a full picture.
The Total Landlord article on how to get access to carry out a gas safety inspection has more tips. For example, every time you want to access the Land Register to verify that your tenant's previous landlord is, for example, 3 pounds sterling. If the tenant has previously lived in rental properties, references from their previous landlords can be very valuable when deciding if you want to offer them a leasing.
