A Right to Rent check is a legal step landlords in England must complete before letting a property. It confirms that every adult who will live there has permission to rent under UK immigration rules. If you are new to the country, you will need to prove your status before you can sign a tenancy, and this guide shows exactly how.
This is part of our guide to renting a home in the UK. It is general information, not legal advice.
Who has to be checked
The landlord must check every tenant aged 18 or over who will use the property as their only or main home, whether or not they are named on the agreement. Right to Rent applies in England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not run the scheme.
Two ways to prove your right to rent
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Online share code | You generate a nine-character share code on GOV.UK and give it to the landlord along with your date of birth. The code is valid for 90 days. | Anyone with an eVisa or digital immigration status (BRP holders, EU Settlement Scheme, most visa holders). |
| Physical documents | You show original documents, such as a passport, that the landlord checks and copies in your presence. | British and Irish citizens using a passport, and some others without digital status. |
If you have digital status through an eVisa, you can only prove your right to rent through the online service. You cannot use a physical document. Generate your code on the Prove your right to rent in England service.
How to generate a share code
- Go to the GOV.UK get a share code page.
- Sign in with your identity details, such as your passport or biometric residence permit number, plus your date of birth.
- Choose the option to prove your right to rent (not the right to work version).
- Copy the nine-character code and share it with your landlord or letting agent.
The landlord then checks it on the view a tenant’s right to rent service. You keep the code, which you can reuse as often as needed for 90 days.
Time-limited status and repeat checks
If your permission to be in the UK has an end date, the landlord may carry out a follow-up check later. This does not affect your tenancy or your protections as a tenant. Your tenant rights are the same as anyone else’s once you move in.
Discrimination is not allowed
Landlords must carry out Right to Rent checks fairly and consistently for everyone, regardless of where they appear to be from. A landlord cannot ask only foreign-looking applicants for documents, and cannot refuse you simply because your status is time-limited. If you believe you have been treated unfairly, the government’s Right to Rent guidance for tenants explains your position. Your immigration status underpins this check, so it helps to understand your route in our UK visa guide for newcomers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a share code if I have a British passport?
No. British and Irish citizens can prove their right to rent with a passport that the landlord checks in person. A share code is mainly for people with digital or time-limited immigration status.
How long does a share code last?
A right to rent share code is valid for 90 days from the moment you create it, and you can use it more than once during that time.
Can a landlord refuse me because my visa expires soon?
No. As long as you currently have the right to rent, a time-limited visa is not a valid reason to refuse you. The landlord may simply do a follow-up check before your permission runs out.
What if I do not have the right to rent yet?
You cannot legally start a tenancy until you can prove your right to rent. Check your immigration status first, and contact the Home Office if your eVisa or documents are not showing correctly online.
Is Right to Rent the same as Right to Work?
No. They are separate checks with separate share codes. When you generate a code, choose the “prove your right to rent” option, not the right to work one.
Sources: GOV.UK: Prove your right to rent in England, GOV.UK: Checking a tenant’s right to rent.
