Why it matters
What Right to Rent means for a landlord
Right to Rent is the tenancy-setup check that goes wrong most often because it feels like a formality. For most people who are not British or Irish, the check is now online: the tenant gives you a share code, you view their right to rent on GOV.UK, and you keep the dated result. British and Irish citizens usually show an original document in person. Doing the check correctly, and following up when permission is time-limited, is what protects you from the penalty.
Worked example
How it plays out
Amir lets a flat in London to two adults from 1 March 2026. One shows a British passport, which Amir checks in her presence and copies with the date. The other has an eVisa and gives a share code, which Amir enters with his date of birth on GOV.UK, saving the result. The result shows his permission ends in 2027, so Amir diaries a follow-up check before that date.
Common mistakes
Where landlords go wrong
- 01Accepting a photo of a passport sent by message instead of seeing the original in person.
- 02Doing a manual document check for someone whose status is an eVisa, instead of using their share code.
- 03Checking the tenants but not other adults who live there.
- 04Missing the follow-up check when permission is time-limited.
What to do
A short checklist
- Use the share code service for anyone who has one and keep the result.
- For manual checks, see original documents in the person’s presence and copy and date them.
- Check every adult who will live there before the tenancy starts.
- Diary follow-up checks for time-limited permission.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Checking your tenant’s right to rent
- GOV.UK: Check a tenant’s right to rent with a share code
- GOV.UK: Right to rent landlords’ code of practice
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.
