Landlords-make sure your tenants know about the EU settlement scheme

Landlords-make sure your tenants know about the EU settlement scheme

It has been nearly a month since the United Kingdom stopped being a member of the European Union, triggering the transition period.

As you may already be aware, if EU citizens wish to stay in the UK beyond 31st December 2020 (when the transition period ends) they and their close family members will need to apply for the UK Government’s EU settlement scheme.

EU citizens and their families who have been continuously resident in the UK for five years until the end of 31 December 2020 may apply for settled status. They will continue to be able to work, study, and access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis as they do now.

Pre-settled status

Those who have not been continuously resident for under five years will be eligible for pre-settled status. They will also be able to work, study and access benefits and services on the same basis as now.

The RLA is now encouraging its members both in England and Wales to speak to their tenants about the EU settlement scheme.

Information for landlords in Wales

In July 2019, the Welsh Government announced a package of support for EU citizens with more complex needs or particular challenges, to help them with the application process. This package of support:

• Offers support with applications and give advice on social welfare issues and workplace rights through the network of Citizens Advice throughout Wales
• provides a free immigration advice service offering specialist support for complex cases, delivered by immigration legal specialists, Newfields Law
• works with a range of charities and partners across Wales to raise awareness of the need to apply for settled status in hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities.
• Please ensure that if you have a tenants from the EU/EEA, they are aware of the Scheme. More can be found online here.