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Right to rent checks in England: documents, share codes and follow-ups

Before a tenancy starts in England, the landlord must check that the tenant has the right to rent. Ask the assistant which documents work, how share codes are used and who is exempt.

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How tenants prove their right to rent

British and Irish citizens can show a British passport or an Irish passport or passport card (current or expired), or a certificate of registration or naturalisation. Without these, they may be able to use 2 other documents together, such as a current UK driving licence and a letter from an employer. Letters and DBS certificates usually need to be dated within the last 3 months.

Other nationals can use a share code or their original immigration documents, and the landlord cannot reject an application because the tenant chose a valid document instead of a share code. A physical biometric residence permit can no longer be used: a share code is needed instead.

Right to rent applies only in England. Tenants do not need to prove it in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

What the landlord must do

The landlord must check the documents, or carry out a digital check, for the tenant and any other adults living in the property. They must keep copies or evidence of the check, which they can keep for one year after the tenant leaves, and return original documents once the check is finished.

Landlords must let people try to prove their right to rent and must not discriminate, for example because of nationality. If the Home Office holds the tenant's documents, the landlord can request a check through the Landlord Checking Service using the tenant's Home Office reference number.

Share codes and the UKVI account

A share code lets the landlord check online whether the tenant can rent and for how long. Tenants who have been given an eVisa must get a share code to prove their right to rent. To get one online, they need their date of birth and details of their biometric residence permit, passport or national identity card.

People usually have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account if they have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app, created an account when applying for a visa or for access to an eVisa, or applied for a digital certificate of entitlement. People with the right of abode can use a certificate of entitlement, either as a vignette sticker in their passport or as a digital certificate in their UKVI account, which needs a share code.

Frequently asked questions

When is a follow-up check needed?

If there is a time limit on the tenant's right to stay in the UK, the landlord must check again after 12 months or just before the permission runs out, if that is sooner. There is no further check for British or Irish citizens or people with no time limit on their stay.

Which accommodation is exempt from right to rent checks?

Exemptions include student accommodation such as halls of residence, accommodation provided by an employer, social housing, council accommodation, hostels and refuges, care homes, hospitals and hospices, leases of 7 years or more, and most mobile homes.

Can I rent if I am not allowed to stay in the UK?

In some circumstances, for example as a victim of slavery or when using the Home Office voluntary departure scheme, you can request permission to rent. If granted, it gives the right to rent for a maximum of 12 months.

Can I prove my right to rent while my EU Settlement Scheme application is pending?

Yes. You can get a share code, or use a physical certificate of application from the Home Office if you have one. With a physical certificate, your landlord will ask for a Home Office right to rent check.

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Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport http kopik-uk-renting-landlord-tenant-obligations "https://kopik.io/api/mcp?base=uk-renting-landlord-tenant-obligations" --header "Authorization: Bearer kpk_…"
JSON config (mcpServers)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kopik-uk-renting-landlord-tenant-obligations": {
      "url": "https://kopik.io/api/mcp?base=uk-renting-landlord-tenant-obligations",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer kpk_…"
      }
    }
  }
}

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curl
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  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
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