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Guidance

Landlord's guide to right to rent checks

This guidance advises a landlord, letting agent or homeowner how to conduct a right to rent check when letting privately rented accommodation.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration and Home Office
Published:
2 November 2020
Last updated:
1 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated the landlord's guide to right to rent checks. A full list of the changes can be found in the guide.

  2. Published the 24 March 2026 version of the easy read landlord's guide to right to rent checks.

  3. Guidance updated. Details are in the 'changes from last version of this guidance' section.

  4. Updated the landlord's guide to right to rent checks. A full list of the changes can be found in the guide.

  5. Added an accessible version.

  6. Landlord's guide to right to rent checks has been updated.

  7. Updated the landlord's guide to right to rent checks. A full list of changes can be found in the guidance.

  8. Easy read version added.

  9. An accessible version of the guidance has been added.

  10. Updates to the Landlord’s guide to right to rent checks document.

  11. Removed the requirement for landlords to verify a digital Certificate of Application (CoA) with the Landlord Checking Service (LCS) when conducting a right to rent online digital check involving an outstanding EU Settlement Scheme application made on or after 1 July 2021.

  12. Adjustments to right to rent checks introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic ended on 30 September 2022.

  13. Updated Landlord's guide to right to rent checks guidance.

  14. Updated information for landlords carrying out right to work checks from 1 October.

  15. Added accessible version of Landlord's guide to right to rent checks: 6 April 2022 and Ukrainian nationals and right to rent checks.

  16. Added 'Ukrainian nationals and right to rent checks' guide.

  17. Added new version of the landlord's guide to right to rent checks, which came into force on 6 April 2022. A summary of the changes can be found in the guide.

  18. Added accessible version of 9 February guidance, and draft version of guidance which will come into force on 6 April 2022.

  19. Minor amendments to correct and update existing wording.

  20. Update on the use of BRP/Cs to prove right to work. Guidance for employers and Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) regarding the use of digital identity verification.

  21. Updated document with changes coming into force in April 2022, detailed in Annex E.

  22. Changes to the way those with outstanding applications to the EUSS evidence their right to rent, Annex C refers. Changes to the lists of acceptable documents: a) amendment to list B, document 5; b) addition at list B, document 11. Extension to the COVID-19 temporary adjusted right to rent checking process.

  23. New PDF version of Landlord’s guide to right to rent checks published.

  24. Added to page - new version of document showing rules that apply from 1 July 2021.

  25. Guidance updated to align with the UK leaving EU, with changes to the way EEA citizens will prove their right to rent.

  26. Updated guidance.

  27. First published.

Documents

Landlord's guide to right to rent checks: 1 October 2026 (accessible)

HTML

Landlord's guide to right to rent checks: 1 October 2026

PDF, 959 KB, 51 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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You can find earlier versions of this guide at the National Archives

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/timeline/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landlords-guide-to-right-to-rent-checks

Template letters (accessible)

HTML

Template letters

PDF, 172 KB, 7 pages

Details

This guidance explains what landlords and letting agents must do to comply with the Right to Rent Scheme.

Landlords and letting agents must carry out right to rent checks on people before entering into a tenancy agreement with them to make sure they are allowed to rent.

You should use this guidance to find out:

  • what a right to rent check is
  • why you need to do a right to rent check
  • letting arrangements that fall within the scheme
  • how to carry out checks
  • when to carry out initial checks and follow-up checks
  • what documents are acceptable for a manual right to rent check

We are aware this publication may have accessibility issues, for example if you use assistive technology.

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