Right to Rent – Expanded acceptable evidence list

The Home Office have issued updated guidance on the 8th Oct for landlords and letting agents taking proof of right to remain in the UK and entitled to rent for the following nationalities below. Click here for the full updated guidance.

“Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA may enter the UK using eGates and will not have their passports endorsed by a Border Force Officer on arrival. Those coming for more than six months will have a visa and will receive a biometric residence permit after arrival. Those entering as visitors do not require a visa and will not have UK stamps placed in their passport, but will have a right to remain in the UK for six months and are entitled to rent property for this period.

Visitors

We have expanded the acceptable evidence list for citizens of these countries to include an original or copy of:

•a boarding pass, or an electronic boarding pass for air, rail or sea travel to the UK;

•an airline, rail or boat ticket, or e-ticket;

•any type of booking confirmation for air, rail or sea travel to the UK; or

•any other documentary evidence that establishes the date of arrival in the UK.

The evidence of arrival in the UK within the last six months, together with a copy of the person’s passport, should be retained by the landlord, including the date the landlord checked these documents, as evidence they have acted in the proper manner. A copy can be a hard copy, for example a photocopy, or an electronic copy such as a screenshot.

We are seeking Parliamentary approval to amend the Code of Practice to reflect this change as soon as possible. Until the changes are made, we will not seek to impose a civil penalty or take prosecution action in cases where landlords have complied with this guidance.”