Registered Providers and the Right to Rent Course
This practical session gives teams a clear understanding of the Right to Rent framework and how it applies within social housing. The session focuses on what Registered Providers need to do to stay compliant, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to approach checks in a way that is both fair and legally robust. Solicitor Paul Gorton uses recent case examples and scenarios to translate legal requirements into everyday practice on this half day course.
Three Hours Learning Time
Registered Providers and the Right to Rent
This course is designed for housing officers, neighbourhood teams, lettings staff, tenancy sustainment teams, compliance leads, service managers and anyone involved in tenancy onboarding, verification and decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, delegates will be able to:
- Explain what the Right to Rent is and when it applies within social housing.
- Identify what evidence is needed to establish a statutory excuse.
- Recognise the risks and implications of getting checks wrong.
- Approach sensitive situations without discrimination or bias.
- Understand how Right to Rent interacts with tenancy enforcement and ending a tenancy.
Outline Of The Course Content
1. Understanding the Right to Rent Framework
- Legislative background
- Who must check and when
- How it applies specifically to Registered Providers
- Common misconceptions in the sector
2. Establishing a Statutory Excuse
- What evidence is acceptable
- How to conduct checks properly
- Repeat checks and follow-up requirements
- Recording and storing evidence
- Pitfalls that compromise a statutory excuse
3. When the Right to Rent Applies
- New tenancies
- Successions, assignments and mutual exchanges
- Temporary accommodation, decants and supported housing considerations
- Visitors and household composition changes
4. Ending a Tenancy
- What happens when the right to rent is lost
- Navigating the notice and eviction process
- Links to immigration enforcement
- Balancing legal duties with safeguarding and vulnerability
5. Avoiding Discrimination
- How to apply checks consistently
- Identifying discriminatory practice
- How to communicate with residents safely and respectfully
- Reasonable adjustments and culturally competent approaches
Format and Delivery
- Half-day session
- Delivered onsite to your team
- Includes case studies, discussion, and practical examples