Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Team from a report by Letting Agent Today. Read the original article for full details.
Right To Rent Changes Take Effect Today: Digital Checks Must Use Registered DVSPs
From today, the Right To Rent (RTR) process is changing. All digital checks must now be carried out through a registered Digital Verification Service Provider (DVSP).
The change matters for letting agents and landlords who rely on digital identity checks as part of their tenant vetting process. Under the new arrangements, checks carried out by non-registered providers will no longer offer a statutory defence against civil penalties.
What the change means for agents
For letting agents and inventory clerks, the loss of protection is the point. If a digital Right To Rent check is performed by a provider that is not registered as a DVSP, that check will not provide the statutory defence against civil penalties that compliant checks offer.
Agents should therefore ensure that any digital checking service they use is a registered Digital Verification Service Provider before carrying out further digital Right To Rent checks.
About IDVT
The changes relate to Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT), a government-approved process. IDVT uses biometrics, passport chip data and police database information as part of the verification process.
Next steps for agents
Letting agents and inventory clerks involved in the letting process should review their current Right To Rent checking arrangements in light of today's changes. Where digital checks form part of the process, confirming that the provider is a registered DVSP is now essential to maintain the statutory defence against civil penalties.
Source: Letting Agent Today