Right to Rent for Hong Kong Nationals

This only applies to England

In 1997, Hong Kong nationals were given an option to retain ties to the UK by taking up a British National Overseas status. This meant that they would be able to settle in the UK if they chose to.

British National overseas status allows Hong Kong nationals and their eligible family members to have a visa which will be for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, will have a biometric residence permit or will have a digital status which can be used for the right to rent checks.

Individuals can also have Leave Outside The Rules (LOTR) that permits them 6 months. Those that obtain LOTR can present their endorsed passport to the landlord to prove they have the right to rent. A further check would not be required until the end of the initial 12 months. 

Landlords and agents are able to grant a tenancy on any of the above basis and the next check would be either twelve months or the expiry of the original right to be in the UK, whichever date is longer.

Also just to reiterate from  a previous article any EU, EEA or Swiss nationals that have resided in the UK before 31 December 2020 should apply for the settlement scheme by 30 June 2021. Failure to do so will mean they will need to apply to immigration who will base their status on a points system. They will not necessarily then qualify them to live in the UK.