Checking over the right to rent checks article

Its some time since I looked at our main Right to Rent article.  So, in view of the fact that the fines are due to increase dramatically in the new year, I thought I should check it over.

So I have gone in and done some amends.  However, I think the most important message I have about right to rent is that Landlords should ALWAYS refer to the government’s online content!

If there is ever a difference between the government’s guidance and mine (or indeed anyone else’s) – please follow the government’s guidance!

What are these stringent new fines?

The government announcement here states that the fines will be as follows:

• For lodger landlords, the fine for a first offence will go up from £80 to £5,000, and
• For a repeat offence from £500 to £10,000
• For ordinary residential landlords, the fine for a first offence will go up from £1,000 to £10,000, and
• For a repeat office from £3,000 to £20,000

I have say that I think these fines are outrageous, particularly the fines for lodger landlords (who may not even be aware that these checks need to be carried out).

I wrote an angry blog post about this here.

However, it is important that you do not incur these fines so you need to be particularly careful about carrying out these checks from now on.  

Probably best if you always check the government pages first before doing anything.  There is a new draft code of practice linked from this page.

Let us just hope that if there is a Labour government after the election, they will abolish these checks.  You may want to start lobbying your MP about this.