Renting a new home while passport at Home Office

[giuliagiulia]

Hello,

I am moving into another city soon since I have got a new job offer (and CoS through which I will extend my Tier 2 status) while the contract of my current job (from which I have a Tier 2 status) is about to expire.

Now I have applied for the new visa related to the new CoS and the passport is with the Home Office. I am also in need to move to the new city and am planning to do so in 2-3 weeks by which time I do not think I will have my passport back yet. Will this be a problem for the application of the new home to rent? What can I show the letting agent instead of my passport ...

Has anyone been in this situation?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Best regards!

[CR001]

Not strictly an immigration question. Maybe more suited to a landlord/tenant forum.

If you don't have a passport and visa to prove your right to reside, it is unlikely you will be successful in securing accommodation.

[Frontier Mole]

As of 1st Feb 2016 landlords must check the right to remain status of all new tenancies and renewal of leases for all tenants regardless of their country of origin.

Not having a primary identity document is going to be an issue BUT you can request a copy from the HO who must supply it with a letter stating it is a copy of a genuine document etc etc. This is the same for individuals who want / need to do their SELT without their passport.

Hope that helps

[rutoro]

Please see
https://www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-t ... -documents

Excerpt:
If the Home Office has the tenant’s documents
Use the landlord’s checking service to find out if the tenant is allowed to rent property if either:

* the Home Office has the tenant’s documents
* the tenant has an outstanding case or appeal

You’ll get an answer within 2 working days.

You’ll need the tenant’s Home Office reference number to use the service. Call the landlord’s helpline to get help.

[paradoxical]

I have rented a property from a letting agency, with showing my driving licence. Because I am a Tier 2 migrant, I do understand the rules better than a lot of those who don't go through these visa issues, and while there is a law to check for right to live, it is very poorly implemented at the moment. I have managed to open a bank account (in Nationwide), as well as sign a new letting agreement, both without having to show my passport or residence card. (I obviously have both, and I actually even pointed to the person while filling my bank application that you are supposed to check and they said it is fine..presumably having a licence, and being in the electoral roll was enough for their systems)...
So in case you have bank statements/credit card statements + driving licence etc., you might just be fine and not asked for anything else... but you can follow the procedure suggested by rutoro to be absolutely sure..

[Frontier Mole]

Welcome to a safe and secure Britain.....