The Right to Rent scheme requires UK landlords to check that all adult tenants have the legal right to rent residential property in England. As a tenant, you need to provide the right documents. As a landlord, you need to follow the process correctly or face a civil penalty of up to £20,000.
Who needs to carry out a Right to Rent check?
All private landlords (and their letting agents) in England must check the Right to Rent of all adult tenants and occupiers. The scheme currently applies only in England — not Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
What documents are accepted?
- British or Irish passport (current or expired)
- UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
- eVisa — check your right to rent via the online Home Office Share Code service
- EU Settlement Scheme status — only via the online Share Code system (physical documents are no longer accepted for EUSS checks)
- Passport with a valid UK visa vignette
- Certificate of Application for EUSS (only acceptable if issued before 30 June 2021)
How does the Share Code system work?
If you have an eVisa or EU Settlement Scheme status, you no longer have a physical document to show. Instead, you use the UK Visas and Immigration online service at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status to generate a Share Code. You give this code and your date of birth to your landlord, who enters it at gov.uk/landlords-online-right-to-rent to verify your status instantly.
💡 Tip
Generate a new Share Code for each landlord check — codes expire after 90 days and cannot be reused. Never give a landlord your full UKVI login credentials.
How often must landlords repeat the check?
For tenants with a time-limited right to rent (e.g. on a Skilled Worker or Student visa), landlords must repeat the check either when the original permission expires, or every 12 months — whichever comes first. If the tenant has an unlimited right to rent (ILR, British citizen), the check only needs to be done once.
What if a landlord refuses to accept my eVisa?
Landlords are legally required to accept the Share Code system. Refusing to rent to you because you have an eVisa rather than a physical document may constitute unlawful discrimination. If a landlord refuses, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) or seek advice from Shelter.
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