Lettings platform updates its Right to Rent checks

Goodlord has updated its digital Right to Rent service ahead of new rules taking effect for England’s landlords from today (1 October).

Under the new code, checks through unregistered digital providers will no longer offer a statutory defence against civil penalties.

The rules require digital checks to be carried out through a registered Digital Verification Service Provider (DVSP).

The platform says its revamped service combines identity verification and Right to Rent checks in a single step during tenant referencing.

Right to rent records

Goodlord’s director of referencing, Nishma Parekh, said: “Agents have told us they want a clear, standalone record showing a Right to Rent check was done.

“This is what our enhanced IDVT+Digital RtR report delivers.”

She added: “With fraud rising and Section 21 gone, removing a tenant who got in on false documents now means going through the courts.

“Catching fake or tampered ID early and having a clear audit trail saves agents, landlords and genuine tenants a lot of pain later on.”

Digital identity checks

Once the service is activated, tenants can upload their identity documents as part of the referencing process.

Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) combines biometrics, liveness checks, passport chip data and police database analysis to verify identity.

Agents can apply the checks to every reference or select individual tenants, while tracking progress through their dashboard.

According to Goodlord, the process removes the need for an in-person document inspection.

Tenant checks and fraud

Agents using the service receive a separate report for each tenant alongside their standard referencing report.

It states whether Right to Rent has been confirmed and details the individual identity checks, providing a record to retain throughout the tenancy.

Goodlord’s analysis found that suspected tenancy fraud rose by 40% in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Also, it warns that tenant application fraud is exposing the private rented sector to potential annual losses of up to £4.1 billion.