Right to Rent Guide Updated for 2025

The UK government recently updated the Landlord’s Guide to Right to Rent Checks, with the latest version published on 12 February 2025. This guidance is essential for landlords and letting agents in England, ensuring compliance with immigration checks for tenants.

This article outlines the key updates and what they mean for landlords and agents.

What’s Changed in the 12 February 2025 Update?

The latest update introduces several significant changes aimed at streamlining the guidance and incorporating recent immigration policy updates. The most notable changes include:

1. Streamlining of Previous Guidance

The section 'Previous versions of this guidance' has been consolidated to make the document more concise and easier to navigate.

2. Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) Decommissioned

The UK government has decommissioned biometric cards, including BRPs and BRCs. Tenants who previously relied on these physical documents must now create a UKVI account to access their eVisa, which serves as digital proof of their right to rent.

Action for landlords:

• Ensure tenants previously using BRPs/BRCs have transitioned to an eVisa.
• Request proof of right to rent through the UK Home Office online service.

3. Changes to Acceptable Right to Rent Documents

Annex A, which details acceptable documents for manual right-to-rent checks, has been updated to:

• Confirm that a clipped British or Irish passport is considered cancelled and is not acceptable proof of right to rent.
• Clarify that both short and long birth certificates are acceptable as proof of right to rent.

4. Updates for Ukrainian Nationals

Annex C has been revised to reflect the introduction of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, which opened on 4 February 2025. This scheme impacts Ukrainian nationals seeking to extend their stay in the UK.

Action for landlords:

• Be aware of this scheme when verifying Ukrainian nationals' right to rent.

5. Removal of COVID-19 Temporary Adjusted Checks

Temporary measures introduced during the pandemic have been entirely removed, allowing adjusted checks (such as virtual ones). Landlords must revert to standard checking procedures, either in-person manual checks or the Home Office online checking service.

6. New Information on Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Further guidance regarding Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been added. This system affects non-visa nationals, clarifying how they can prove their right to rent in the UK.

What Landlords and Agents Need to Do

To ensure compliance with the latest changes, landlords and letting agents should take the following steps:

• Update tenant verification processes: Ensure procedures align with the removal of biometric cards and the requirement for digital eVisas. Check the latest list of acceptable documents. Do not accept clipped British or Irish passports, but take both types of birth certificates.
• Use the Home Office online checking service: This is now a crucial tool for verifying tenants' right to rent, particularly those with eVisas.
• Be aware of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. Understand how this scheme impacts Ukrainian nationals' right to rent.
• Cease using temporary COVID-19 adjusted checks: Only use approved verification methods moving forward.

Where to Find the Full Guidance

For complete details, landlords and letting agents can access the updated Landlord’s Guide to Right to Rent Checks on the official government website:

Right to Rent Guidance – GOV.UK