Why you can’t get copy of BRP Card or Share code before arriving at the UK from a Japanese tenant?

2022-10-14

西島

Why can’t I get a BRP Card or Share code from a Japanese tenant before they’ve arrived in the UK?

jtecpc.co.uk/ is dealing with a lot of Japanese expatriates, students and rich families. I assume you are also one of the agents who was contacted by JTECPC.

I assume you have already finished the documentation and references.

However, somehow “Right to Rent Check” is not finished.

I would like to explain why it always happens to Japanese people and people of other countries.

Right to rent check for Property Agents

Right to Rent checks require landlords/agents to determine the immigration status of all prospective adult tenants by checking ID before the start of a tenancy. It started as a pilot scheme in parts of the West Midlands before being rolled out across England on 1 February 2016.

This is why your manager or administrator of the Estate agency is very careful about this documentation as well as GSC(Gas Safety Certificate). Failure to comply with this regulation, may be a criminal offence.

However, it is impossible to check the early stage of documents of people coming from other countries (except EU, EEA or Switzerland).

Regarding the share code for the right to rent check, It is only EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who can get the share code in advance, however other nationalities can only have it checked it when they arrive in the UK. This includes Japanese as well.

Please have a look at the gov. uk.

https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/euss

How can other citizens get a BRP card or share code

BRP card

A biometric residence permit ( BRP ) can be used to confirm your: identity. right to study. right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to in the UK for foreigners.

1. Entry Clearance

When you want to go to the UK, firstly foreigners have to apply for a Visa at the local UK embassy and must submit their original of passport.

The local UK embassy issues the entry clearance for the Visa to the UK.

After this foreigners are finally able to fly to the UK(e.g to Heathrow airport).

Heathrow Airport immigration will check the Entry Clearance and passport and first entry foreigners can get into the UK. (For second entry foreigners, immigration will check their Passport and BRP card instead.)

2. BRP card from a local post office in the UK

The post office where you receive your BRP card is usually near the university you plan to attend, the place where you will be temporarily staying, or near your rental property. It is up to the individual to designate where he or she will pick up the BRPcard before coming to the UK.

Therefore, your agent can only get a copy of BRP after they arrived in the UK.

Share code

A share code is a 9 character code generated through the Home Office online service which is valid for 90 days and can be used as many times within that period. Renters can provide this share code with their prospective agents or landlords alongside their date of birth in order for a “right-to-rent check” to be completed.

When a foreigner obtains a share code, he/she must fill in the number of the BRP card.

The BRP Card can only be obtained in the UK, so the tenant cannot send a copy of the BRP card or share code in advance, they can only provide it in the last minutes before moving in.

Therefore, entry clearance is the only way to check whether the applicants have the right UK visa. When you meeting them in your office, it is necessary to check whether they have BRP cards before passing them the keys to the property.

It may be useful to check the right to rent by the entry clearance.

Right-to-rent-checks.pdf

Summary

~~You can not get a BRP card or share code in advance from foreigners, except EU, EEA or Swiss citizens.~~

A BRP card can ONLY be obtained in the UK.
When the tenant arrives in the UK, you can get a copy of the BRP card or Share code.
You can check the entry clearance for the right-to-rent check before their arrival (However it is also better to check the BRP or Share code when they arrive in the UK as well)

jtecpc.co.uk/ offers a service to contract rental properties in the UK and London from Japan via Line chat. Please take advantage of this service.
We are also available for real estate investment consultation.
Please feel free to contact us.