IS this a valid right to rent document

[Berlingogirl]

My prospective tenant is Bulgarian.

He has sent me a copy of the page in his passport with his photo on it, but only that page. Does he have to have a stamp on it to say he can reside here?

It runs out in 08/22.

He has a UK driving license.

I've looked on the gov's website but i have no training in border control and can't sort it out.

Is he allowed to rent my property?

[Berlingogirl]

I think i've got it sorted now but will leave my post up in the hope it helps others.

There is a list of countries in the EEA. These countries no longer have an automatic right to rent in England.

They need to have their passport stamped with permission to stay for a set time.

Apparently anyone can have a UK driving license but it does not mean they have a right to rent.

I have to say this has really stressed me out as the tenant has not yet sent me the page in his passport with the stamp on.

[jpkeates]

Bulgaria is in the EU.
So either the tenant has settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (or has applied for it or has pre-settled status) and can show you that they have.
Or they should have a biometric residence card or permit (or be able to give you a share code you can check with the Home Office).

You don't want a copy of the passport either, you need the actual document.

If they're not in the UK at the moment, you'd be best making any offer of a tenancy agreement subject to them proving that they have the right to reside.
Because you could be sent anything by pretty much anyone.

If they want to rent a property from you, I'd probably just ask them to prove that they have the right to reside in the UK and let them so the work and research.
Any other (legitimate) landlord should want the same as you.

EDIT-crossposted with post #2

[Berlingogirl]

Thanks jpkeates.

My head's gone to mush over this.

They are in the UK and are renting off somebody else in a HMO.

Which document (s) show settled status?

I looked up the EU settlement scheme and people had to apply by june 2021 so I think if he'd got that he'd show that to me rather than just the passport.

[AndrewDod]

Is there a legal obligation to know what Bulgaria is? I have always thought it was a suburb of Pontefract in Yorkshire?

[jpkeates]

Which document (s) show settled status?

They'd have a "share code", which you use (with their date of birth) to check their status online.

I'd be a little suspicious of someone who when asked to provide proof they're allowed to rent in the UK sends a scan of one page of their passport.
But, to be fair, no one understands the UK's immigration policy - which applies to prospective tenants as well as landlords.

[theartfullodger]

My prospective tenant is Bulgarian.

He has sent me a copy of the page in his passport with his photo on it, but only that page. ....

I'd prefer to photograph it myself rather that trust tenant to do it.. plus see,.....
https://www.gov.uk/check-tenant-righ...copy-documents

Making copies of the documents


When you copy the documents:

• make a copy that cannot be changed, such as a photocopy or a good quality photograph
• for passports, copy every page with the expiry date or applicant’s details (such as nationality, date of birth and photograph), including endorsements, for example a work visa or Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode in the UK
• make a complete copy of all other documents
• record the date you made the copy

Keep copies of the tenant’s documents for the time they’re your tenants and for one year after.

Highlighting changing to red of "you" done by me...

[Berlingogirl]

Oh, guess what? After spending about 3 hours on this, they had a share code!!!!!

Well, you live and learn

[Berlingogirl]

They'd have a "share code", which you use (with their date of birth) to check their status online.

I'd be a little suspicious of someone who when asked to provide proof they're allowed to rent in the UK sends a scan of one page of their passport.
But, to be fair, no one understands the UK's immigration policy - which applies to prospective tenants as well as landlords.

I, for one, certainly don't understand it, but have learnt quite a lot from this experience.

I'd consider myself to be reasonably intelligent but I found this difficult and I spent about 3 hours today researching. I'm tenacious. I wouldn't be surprised if other landlords gave up and either stopped replying to the prospective tenant or just let to them anyway.

How would anyone find out if a tenant had right to rent or not? The fine is £3k per tenant. If you're letting in an expensive area, say London, that's not an awful lot of money v risk. Not quite the same up North though or if you're letting via HMO.

[jpkeates]

How would anyone find out if a tenant had right to rent or not? The fine is £3k per tenant. If you're letting in an expensive area, say London, that's not an awful lot of money v risk. Not quite the same up North though or if you're letting via HMO.

I think the risk of prosecution is probably overstated.

The Home Office isn't the most efficient or effective organisation.

The supreme court ruled a while ago that the regulations are probably discriminatory and suggested parliament should sort the law out.
So I'd imagine prosecutions are uncommon.

But you have to jump through the hoops (although in my case I pay someone else to do it).