The Right to Rent scheme is a government policy in the United Kingdom that requires landlords to check the immigration status of prospective tenants to ensure they have the legal right to live and rent property in the UK. This guide aims to provide information on the Right to Rent checks, including the use of share codes, and what you, as a tenant, need to know and prepare for when renting a property.
Understand the Right to Rent checks:
The Right to Rent checks are in place to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing the private rental sector. Landlords or their agents must check that all tenants aged 18 or over have the legal right to rent before granting a tenancy agreement. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.
Share Code for Right to Rent checks:
In some cases, tenants may need to provide a share code to their landlords or agents to allow them to access their immigration status online. This is particularly relevant if the tenant has a digital immigration status or if their physical documents are with the Home Office. The share code can be generated through the UK government's online service, "Prove your right to rent in England."
To generate a share code:
Visit the "Prove your right to rent in England" website: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rentClick "Start now."
Enter your biometric residence permit or card number and your date of birth.
Complete the required steps to generate your share code.Share the code with your landlord or agent, who will use it to check your right to rent online.
Types of documents accepted for Right to Rent checks:
There are two types of documents that are accepted for Right to Rent checks: List A and List B. List A documents prove an unlimited right to rent in the UK, while List B documents grant a time-limited right to rent
List A documents include:
UK passport
EEA or Swiss national passport/identity card
Permanent residence card or document certifying permanent residence
Biometric immigration document with unlimited leave
Passport or travel document endorsed with indefinite leave to remain
List B documents include:
Valid passport endorsed with a time-limited period of leave to remain
Biometric immigration document with a time-limited period of leave
Residence card for a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen
The Right to Rent check process:
Provide original documents or share code: You must provide your original documents, as specified in List A or List B, or a share code to your landlord or their agent. Photocopies of documents are not acceptable.
Landlord/agent verification: The landlord or their agent will check the authenticity of the documents or use the share code to verify your right to rent online.
Document copies: The landlord or agent will make a clear copy of each document or print the online verification and record the date the check was made.
Follow-up checks: If you have a time-limited right to rent, your landlord or agent is required to conduct follow-up checks before your permission to stay in the UK expires or after 12 months, whichever is later.
Tenant's responsibilities:
As a tenant, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary documents or share code to prove your right to rent. If your immigration status changes during your tenancy, inform your landlord or agent immediately.
