Why it matters
What Immigration Act 2014 means for a landlord
The Immigration Act 2014 is the law behind Right to Rent: landlords in England must check every adult occupier before a tenancy starts. The civil penalties rose on 13 February 2024, and knowingly letting to someone without the right to rent is a criminal offence as well. A landlord can agree in writing that an agent will do the checks, which moves the responsibility to the agent; without a written agreement, it stays with the landlord.
Worked example
How it plays out
Sofia takes in a lodger at her home in Bristol. She assumes Right to Rent is only for tenancies, but lodgers are covered too, so she checks his documents before he moves in and keeps a dated copy. A year later she uses a letting agent for a separate flat and agrees in writing that the agent will carry out the Right to Rent checks, which makes the agent responsible for them.
Common mistakes
Where landlords go wrong
- 01Checking only the named tenants and not every adult who lives there, including lodgers.
- 02Accepting a photo of a document instead of seeing the original in person or using the share code service.
- 03Missing the follow-up check for someone with time-limited permission.
- 04Assuming an agent is responsible for checks without a written agreement saying so.
What to do
A short checklist
- List every adult occupier in each property.
- Check each one before they move in and keep dated records.
- Diary follow-up checks for anyone with time-limited permission.
- Put any agent arrangement for checks in writing.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Checking your tenant’s right to rent
- GOV.UK: Right to rent landlords’ code of practice
- legislation.gov.uk: Immigration Act 2014
Checked against these sources on 16 September 2026. A guide to the rules in England, not legal advice: for a dispute or a possession claim, speak to a solicitor.
