With the Government’s ‘Right to rent’ legislation coming into play on 1st February, local lettings agency Connells in Stourbridge is advising landlords to ensure they are fully informed of what this means for them.

The local Connells team can help to prepare landlords for the new rules, and is urging anyone with any questions to come in and speak to them. The ‘Right to rent’ legislation requires all landlords in England to carry out immigration checks on tenants starting a tenancy on or after 1st February to ensure they are legally allowed to live and rent in the UK.

“It’s important that landlords are fully aware of this new legislation and of the risks that they face if they don’t comply with the Government’s rules,” says Elizabeth Houghton, Senior Lettings Negotiator in Charge at Connells Stourbridge. “Landlords could face up to £3,000 in fines for renting a property to someone illegally, so we are urging them to make sure they understand the process and recognise the relevant documentation.

Elizabeth continues: “Some of the branches in the Connells network have been piloting the Right to rent scheme for over a year already and all of our lettings staff have recently received full training on the new legislation, so we are well-positioned to offer expert advice and guidance to landlords. We offer a comprehensive, quality lettings service, and keeping our landlords informed and up-to-date is just part of that.”

Connells is a large and well-regulated, ARLA-qualified letting agent which conducts professional inventories, provides a tailor made approach and is a member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The Stourbridge branch offers a range of lettings services and advice, from matching tenants to their ideal properties to full property management, rent collection and insurance.