Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Team from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.
New Right to Rent rules take effect in England
New Right to Rent rules have come into effect in England, changing how landlords and agents carry out eligibility checks. Where a landlord chooses to use a digital verification service for eligible checks, they must now use a registered provider. The revised Home Office guidance also makes clear that prospective tenants must not be treated less favourably because they choose to provide acceptable physical documents instead.
What this means for agents and clerks
For letting agents and inventory clerks, the change is procedural: any digital checking route must go through a registered provider, and physical documents remain an acceptable option that cannot be penalised. The source article frames the change as one more compliance task for landlords already managing rising costs, though it does not report any enforcement statistics or penalties.
The wider landlord context
The article, written by David Coughlin of Landlord Sales Agency, suggests that while a change to checking procedures alone may not persuade a landlord to sell, it may add to the pressures on those already considering an exit. The piece is promotional in nature, outlining the agency's services for landlords looking to sell one rental, a partial portfolio or an entire portfolio, including selling with tenants in place and continuing to collect rent until completion.
The article claims the agency typically achieves 85–90% of market value and has a private database of over 30,000 buyers. Agents should note these are the author's own claims, not independent figures.
Key takeaways
- Digital verification for eligible Right to Rent checks must now use a registered provider.
- Tenants providing acceptable physical documents must not be treated less favourably.
- The changes took effect on 1st October 2026, according to the source.
Agents and clerks should review their checking procedures against the revised Home Office guidance to ensure compliance.
Source: Property118