Right-to-rent: How UKDIATF impacts UK housing

Tenant checks are now crucial for landlords and agents in England. The UK’s Right to Rent scheme requires verifying tenant immigration status, with stricter rules for time-limited visas and financial sanctions. Non-compliance risks heavy penalties and reputational damage.

However, the landscape of digital identity is shifting. With the introduction of government-backed frameworks like the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (UKDIATF), the standard for what constitutes a “compliant check” is higher than ever.

This guide covers the latest regulations, the significance of certified Identity Service Providers (IDSPs), and how Veriff’s recent UKDIATF certification empowers you to rent responsibly.

The right to rent scheme explained

The Right to Rent scheme, introduced by the UK government, places a legal obligation on private landlords and letting agents in England to conduct immigration status checks on all prospective tenants. This initiative aims to ensure that only individuals with the legal right to reside in the UK are able to rent properties, helping to maintain the integrity of the rental market.

While the scheme is strictly enforceable in England, it does not apply to properties in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, for those operating within England, non-compliance can result in significant penalties.

Recent updates to financial sanctions regulations have broadened the scope of compliance for letting agents. Under new guidance, all letting agents must carry out financial sanctions checks on landlords and tenants and report suspected matches to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), with no monetary threshold applied to rental value.

A new standard: The UK Digital Identity and attributes trust framework (UKDIATF)

As regulations tighten, the tools used to meet them must evolve. The UK government has introduced the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (UKDIATF) to establish a secure, trustworthy digital identity ecosystem.

We are proud to announce that Veriff has achieved gamma (0.4) certification under the UKDIATF. This certification is a critical development for landlords and agents who rely on digital tools to screen tenants.

What is the UKDIATF?

The UKDIATF is a government standard for conducting remote identity checks. It provides a set of rules and guidance for organizations to prove and verify identities in a secure and consistent way.

The framework ensures that Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) meet rigorous technical and security standards. It also enforces strict principles for protecting user privacy and data. The Home Office specifically recommends that landlords and agents use certified IDSPs to conduct digital eligibility checks for Right to Rent.

Certification and compliance

Using a certified provider like Veriff isn’t just a badge of honor; it’s a practical safeguard for your business.

1. Statutory excuse: When you use a certified IDSP to carry out digital checks on British and Irish citizens, you can establish a statutory excuse against liability for a civil penalty, provided the check is done correctly.
2. Data security: Certification ensures the provider adheres to high standards of data protection, reducing the risk of data breaches involving sensitive tenant information.
3. Fraud prevention: The framework requires robust fraud detection capabilities, helping you spot fake documents that a manual check might miss.

Tenant verification and rent checks

Landlords and letting agents must verify a tenant’s documents, including their identity document and immigration status, to confirm their right to rent. The tenant screening process should include checks on the tenant’s immigration status, as well as their credit history and rental history.

It is also important to conduct follow-up checks on time-limited documents, such as visas, to ensure that the tenant’s right to rent has not expired. By implementing a comprehensive tenant screening process, landlords and letting agents can mitigate risks and ensure that they are renting to individuals who have the legal right to reside in the property.

With Veriff’s UKDIATF-certified solution, this process becomes streamlined. You can verify the identities of UK-based users with greater confidence, knowing the checks align with UK government-approved rules.

Why this matters to heads of AML, risk, or fraud

Across jurisdictions, governments are strengthening identity verification frameworks with stricter requirements for customer due diligence and ongoing monitoring. The UK’s evolving regime, especially with the Right to Rent checks and the introduction of UKDIATF, highlights the necessity for digital-first, auditable solutions.

As the Head of Risk or Fraud, you’re the internal advocate. Your role requires balancing innovation with risk mitigation while demonstrating the value of compliance tools to senior decision-makers.

These regulations mandate enhanced identity verification, sanctions screening, and customer due diligence (CDD) for all landlords and letting agents. Without an efficient, digital-first solution in place, compliance becomes a liability.

You need to ensure:

• Thorough identity checks are completed swiftly and securely using certified technology.
• Sanctions screening is not missed, and reported when needed.
• Audit trails are clean, accessible, and well-documented for at least five years.
• Evidence of Right to Rent checks is retained to comply with legal requirements.

Why use Veriff for right to work & right to rent compliance?

Veriff’s Right to Rent solution supports seamless, digital-first identity verification that aligns perfectly with the new compliance standards. Our recent UKDIATF certification reinforces our ability to help your team stay one step ahead.

Key benefits for compliance leaders:

• UKDIATF certified: We meet the government’s rigorous standards for digital identity trust, offering you peace of mind.
• Fast, secure verification: Leverage compliant IDSP technology to speed up tenant onboarding without sacrificing security.
• Real-time sanctions checks: Screen against OFSI’s updated consolidated list automatically.
• Reliable audit logs: Maintain the necessary records to meet the five-year record-keeping mandate.
• Configurable workflows: Adapt the verification process to your specific risk-based approach.

Landlords have significant responsibilities in ensuring compliance with Right to Rent checks. By choosing a certified partner, you make compliance an asset, not a burden.

Need to comply with Right to Rent and AML regulations?

Veriff provides a seamless, digital-first solution to help landlords, letting agents, and compliance leaders stay fully compliant.

Start with a free proof of concept

Exemptions and special cases

There are certain exemptions and special cases that landlords and letting agents should be aware of when conducting Right to Rent checks.

For example, British and Irish citizens can be checked digitally via a certified IDSP using their passport. However, they are exempt from the immigration restrictions of the scheme itself. Remaining legal tenants already living in the property before the scheme was introduced are also exempt.

Additionally, students and individuals with a pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may have different requirements for proving their right to rent. It is essential to understand these exemptions and special cases to avoid discrimination and ensure compliance with regulations.

Best practices for compliance teams

To ensure compliance with Right to Rent regulations, compliance teams should follow these best practices:

1. Use certified IDSPs: Leverage technology providers that have achieved UKDIATF certification to ensure your digital checks are recognized and secure.
2. Conduct thorough verification: Don’t cut corners. Verify identity, immigration status, and financial sanctions for every adult tenant.
3. Maintain accurate records: Keep clear copies of documents and digital check results for the duration of the tenancy plus one year.
4. Stay updated: Regulations change. Keep abreast of updates from the Home Office regarding the Trust Framework and Right to Rent guidance.
5. Train your staff: Ensure anyone involved in the letting process understands the requirements and how to spot potential fraud.

Penalties are steep — Compliance can’t wait

Failure to comply could result in:

• Hefty fines
• Up to seven years imprisonment
• Reputational damage
• Operational restrictions
• The need to report to the Home Office

It’s time to safeguard your organization by preparing your processes now. With the UKDIATF framework now in place, the bar for compliance has been raised. Ensure your technology partners are ready to meet it.

Need to comply with Right to Rent regulations?

Veriff provides a seamless, digital-first solution to help landlords, letting agents, and compliance leaders stay fully compliant. Our UKDIATF-certified platform is ready to support your business.