Understanding Right to Rent in the UK

Introduction to Right to Rent

If you want to rent a home in England, you will be asked to prove that you’re allowed to live in the UK. This requirement is called Right to Rent, and it applies to most adults entering a tenancy agreement. Although the idea of immigration checks can feel formal or confusing, the process is actually straightforward once you understand the essentials.

This guide explains what Right to Rent means, when it applies, how you prove your status, and what both tenants and landlords need to do to follow the rules correctly.

What Right to Rent Actually Is

Right to Rent is a UK government rule that requires landlords in England to confirm that their tenants have a legal right to live in the UK. Without completing these checks, landlords can face fines or other penalties.

A common misunderstanding is that the rules apply across the whole UK. In reality, they apply only in England. Tenants renting in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland do not go through Right to Rent checks.

For tenants, Right to Rent is simply proof of identity and immigration status at the start of the tenancy. For landlords, it’s an important compliance step: they must check the information, make a record and in some cases repeat the check later.

Who Needs to Prove Their Right to Rent — and How It Works

Almost all adults living in a rented home in England must show that they have the legal right to be in the country. The exact type of proof depends on nationality and immigration history.

British and Irish citizens normally show a valid passport or another accepted ID.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens often use digital proof, such as settled or pre-settled status, accessed online rather than through a physical identity card.
Non-UK nationals typically prove their position using a visa, a Biometric Residence Permit or a digital immigration record.

Some individuals do not need to complete these checks at all — for example, people under 18, temporary visitors, or those living in student halls, hostels or care homes.

To complete the process, tenants either show original physical documents or they use the Home Office online service to generate a share code. With this code and the tenant’s date of birth, the landlord can view the person’s official immigration status directly. The share code remains valid for 90 days and confirms whether someone has the right to rent and whether their permission is time-limited.

Documents, Digital Status and Follow-Up Checks

The Home Office separates acceptable evidence into two categories: documents showing a permanent right to rent and those showing a time-limited right. Permanent proof covers British and Irish nationals and people with indefinite leave to remain. Time-limited proof usually applies to anyone on a visa with an expiry date.

If a tenant has time-limited status, the landlord must carry out a follow-up check before that permission expires. This ensures the tenant still has the legal right to stay in the UK.

Increasingly, tenants rely on digital immigration status instead of physical documents. Instead of handing over papers, they log in to the Home Office system, generate a share code and allow the landlord to review their status online. This method is now the most common — and often the simplest — way to complete a Right to Rent check.

If a tenant cannot present documents because their immigration application is still being processed, the landlord must request a Home Office Landlord Check. In many cases, this results in confirmation that the tenant has a temporary right to rent, allowing the tenancy to go ahead while the final decision is pending.

What Tenants and Landlords Should Keep in Mind

Although the process is straightforward, missing or expired documents can cause delays. Preparing proof early and ensuring that details such as your passport number or date of birth are correct can prevent unnecessary problems.

For landlords, it’s important to check identity carefully, keep copies securely and follow the same steps for every tenant. The government is clear that Right to Rent checks must not be done in a discriminatory way. All tenants must be treated equally regardless of nationality, background or the type of proof they provide.

If a tenant cannot prove their status immediately, the landlord cannot simply reject them. They must contact the Home Office and wait for an official response. During this period, it is unlawful to evict or refuse the tenant solely based on missing documents.

Recent Changes and the Move Toward Digital Checks

Since Brexit, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can no longer use physical passports alone as proof for Right to Rent. They must provide digital evidence of their immigration status instead.

The Home Office is also expanding digital verification tools, meaning more checks will be completed online rather than through physical documents. This shift is designed to make the process faster, clearer and more consistent for everyone involved.

Summary

Right to Rent is a simple process once you understand what’s required. Tenants need to show that they have the legal right to live in the UK — either through physical documents or digital status — and landlords need to make sure they check and record this information properly.

By preparing early, using the correct documents and keeping everything up to date, both tenants and landlords can handle the process smoothly and confidently.

For the most accurate guidance, always refer to the official information on GOV.UK.