I’m a first tone landlady and I’m a bit confused and wonder if someone could list the steps to take to do the Right to Rent on an international traveller on an ETA who is coming for vacation purposes for just 3 months. My questionnis:
-how to do the right to rent on this international tenant?
-Can we sign the contract before I meet him in person?
Many thanks!
Yes you can do right to rent just follow the guidance
Prove your right to rent in England: Overview - GOV.UK and t hey get a share code or use original docs
Once they give you the share code its easy.
You can sign any doc you like but if they then dont have a right to rent it will be a big fine or even a criminal offence if you continue with the tenancy…
Best
You also need their date of birth.
But they are on an ETA. I believe they can’t get a share code in an ETA; only if they are on a visa they can. Am I correct? They are from Canada.
ETA is only right of entry. It may then lead to a visa if they’re here for a purpose other than tourism. You did mention vacation and so, you’re right that they won’t have right to rent. The only kind of accommodation they could “rent” would be temporary e.g. airbnb. You can’t give them an APT (tenancy agreement).
You mentioned that this was your first time renting. If so, this isn’t actually renting as we would recognise it on these forums.
Just call home office and ask?
“call the Landlords’ Helpline on 0300 790 6268.”
According to this you need original docs
" If you are coming to the UK to study for 6 months or less:
If you have a visitor visa in your passport or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) you will not be able to generate a share code. You will need to explain this to your landlord or letting agent, and provide them with your original immigration documents such as your passport, ETA or visitor visa sticker, and boarding pass (if you have already travelled to the UK). They will need to use these documents to conduct a Right to Rent landlord’s check with UKVI."
Good luck
Thank you all. I just called the line. They said that for 3 months I’d have to do a right to rent check. It’s very simple: they must have a stamp of entry in their passport or proof of how they got into the UK, like a plane ticket. Three months is a grey area… my understanding from reading the guide is that 3 months minus 1 day, you wouldn’t need a right to rent check. Yet it’s simple to do and peace of mind for the owner of the property.
They also said you can sign with them an agreement in principle before they arrive. When I asked if I could take payment for the rental, they said they didn’t advise on payments. So I guess that leaves it to the mutual agreement between parties. Anyone knows how an “agreement in principle” would look?
I’m thinking to sign the agreement and add a clause that says that if they fail the right to rent, the agreement is cancelled and all monies -except the holding deposit- returned.
Thoughts?
sounds like a minefield. They may be completely legit, look after your place, pay the rent and leave it immaculate. But if you run into any difficulties, you won’t have a leg to stand on. They could leave the country at any point and vanish and, once in, if they don’t pay anything or cause damage, I’m not sure how you would ever recoup your losses.
Airbnb at least acts as a third party to mitigate any damage and require payment before they move in.
They pay the full rent up front plus a high deposit. The risk is always there with any tenant.
I’m afraid that’s absolutely not the case. With an APT, you enter into a contract that is protected by law. With this tenant you have absolutely no recourse whatsoever if things go as I described in my previous post.
hmmmm…
Just to check - is this england, Scotland, wales or c NI ?
Is it the whole property not a lodger arrangement?
Is it a normal rental not a serviced appt?
Only 1 month rent in advance (in period between signing and move in) can be required and for month 2 and 3 it would be illegal rent in advance. Not allowed under RRA in England
May help to consider doing some LL training or joining a LL association
.good luck