Landlords
All landlords renting a property must do a ‘Right to Rent’ check and it has to include anyone in the household who is 18 or over.
If a landlord uses a letting agent you can usually ask them to do this.
This check only applies to landlords and their tenants, so if the tenant decides to rent part of their home to someone else then it is their responsibility to do the check.
GOV.UK information on how to complete a right to rent check
GOV.UK guidance on the requirements of the right to rent
Landlords can be fined and even sent to prison if they don’t do these checks.
Landlord advice
If you are unsure about Right to Rent checks, there is free advice available over the phone on the Landlord’s helpline.
0300 069 9799
Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 4:45 pm
Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm
Tenants
A tenant can use any of the means set out in Lists A or B for a right to rent check.
List A contains the range of documents which show you’re a British citizen, EEA or Swiss national, or a person who has an indefinite right to be in the UK. Landlords who correctly check the documents from this list will not need to do follow-up checks.
List B contains the range of documents which may be accepted from a person who has a time-limited right to be in the UK. Landlords who check a document in this list will establish a time-limited statutory excuse and should carry out follow-up checks.
You can find a list A and B along with more information from GOV.UK here.
- How to make a Right to Rent check
- Short Guide for Landlords on Right to Rent
- Right to Rent checks User Guide
We are unable to offer legal advice in these matters and any information on these pages does not constitute legal advice. For up to date information and guidance please visit GOV.UK.