Private renting
Document checks
You must prove that you have a right to rent property in England if you’re:
- starting a tenancy on or after 1 February 2016
- renting it as your main home
Exemptions
You will not have to prove your right to rent if you live in:
- student accommodation, for example halls of residence
- accommodation provided by your employer as part of your job or training
- social housing
- accommodation provided by the council
- hostels and refuges
- a care home, hospital or hospice
- accommodation with a lease of 7 or more years
Check the full list of exemptions from the right to rent property checks.
Proving your right to rent
If you’re a British or Irish citizen, you’ll need to show your landlord one or more documents to prove your right to rent. For example, you can use your passport if you have one.
If you’re not a British or Irish citizen, you can usually apply online for a share code to give to your landlord. If you cannot get a share code, you can use documents to prove your right to rent.
You can check how to prove your right to rent to your landlord.
If you have a biometric residence card or permit, you can only use it to apply online for a share code. You cannot give your landlord your physical card or permit to prove your right to rent.
What your landlord must do
Your landlord (or letting agent) must:
- check your documents or carry out an online right to rent check to make sure you can rent a property in England
- check the documents or carry out an online right to rent check of any other adults living in the property
- make copies of your documents and keep them until you leave the property
- return your original documents to you once they’ve finished the check
Your landlord must not discriminate against you, for example because of your nationality.
If you cannot prove your right to rent
You will not be able to rent property if you cannot provide the acceptable documents.
If the Home Office has your documents
If the Home Office has your documents because of an outstanding case or appeal, ask your landlord to check with the Home Office.
Give your landlord your Home Office reference number to do the check.
If your circumstances mean you can still rent in the UK
In some circumstances, you can still rent even if you are not allowed to stay in the UK, for example if you’re:
- a victim of slavery
- using the Home Office’s voluntary departure scheme
Check with the Home Office team that’s dealing with your case.
Your landlord will have to check with the Home Office.
Repeat checks
You will not have a further check if you stay in the same property and either:
- you’re a British or Irish citizen
- you have no time limit on your right to stay in the UK
If there’s a time limit on your right to stay in the UK, your landlord will need to check your right to rent again.
They’ll do the next check after 12 months or just before your permission to stay runs out, if that’s sooner.