Who Must Be Checked

• All adults (aged 18+) who will occupy the property as their only or main home
• This includes all named tenants AND any other adult occupants
• It does not matter whether they are named on the tenancy agreement
• Children under 18 do not need to be checked

The Three Checking Routes

There are three ways to carry out a Right to Rent check. The correct route depends on the tenant's immigration status. Always check GOV.UK for the current list of acceptable documents and checking routes before each tenancy.

Route 1 — Home Office Online Check (Share Code)

Tenants with status under the EU Settlement Scheme (settled or pre-settled status), a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), or a Frontier Worker permit must demonstrate their right to rent using the Home Office online service — physical BRP/BRC cards are not acceptable for Right to Rent checks. Physical cards were removed from the acceptable documents list in April 2022.

• Ask the tenant to generate a share code at gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent
• Use the share code at gov.uk/landlord-immigration-check
• Print or save the result and keep it with your records
• The online result confirms the tenant's status and any time limit on their right to rent

Route 2 — Permitted Original Documents (Manual Check)

For tenants who cannot use the online service, you may accept original documents from the Home Office's acceptable documents list. The most common are:

• List A (unlimited right to rent): UK or Irish passport, UK birth certificate + National Insurance number, indefinite leave to remain (in passport or as a letter)
• List B (time-limited right to rent): Passport with a valid visa or entry clearance vignette

See the full current list at gov.uk/landlord-immigration-check. When checking original documents:

• Check documents in the presence of the holder — do not accept copies
• Check that the document is genuine and has not been tampered with
• Check that the photograph matches the person in front of you
• Check that the document has not expired (for time-limited documents)
• Check that the name matches across all documents provided
• Make a clear copy of every document checked (both sides if relevant)
• Record the date the check was carried out
• Keep copies securely for the duration of the tenancy plus 1 year

Route 3 — Registered Digital Identity Service Provider (IDSP)

For British and Irish citizens, you may use a government-certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP) to carry out a digital identity check. This is an alternative to checking original documents in person. The IDSP must be registered with the government. A list of certified IDSPs is available at gov.uk/guidance/digital-identity.

Time-Limited Right to Rent — Follow-Up Checks

If a tenant has a time-limited right to rent (List B), you must carry out a follow-up check before their permission to be in the UK expires (or within 12 months, whichever is later). Diarise the follow-up check date.

Right to Rent Check Record

• Tenant name: _________________________
• Property address: _________________________
• Check date: __________
• Checking route used: Online share code / Original documents / IDSP
• Document(s) checked (if manual): _________________________
• Document expiry (if applicable): __________
• Follow-up check required: Yes / No — Follow-up date: __________
• Share code (if online check): _________________________
• Checked by: _________________________

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• First offence: civil penalty up to £10,000 per occupant
• Repeat offence: civil penalty up to £20,000 per occupant
• Knowingly letting to someone without the right to rent: criminal offence — up to 5 years' imprisonment

Useful Resources

• Right to Rent guidance: gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents
• Online check service: gov.uk/landlord-immigration-check
• Acceptable documents list: gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-rent-document-checks-a-user-guide