Home Office
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Home » Housing and council tax » Right to Rent checks
Right to Rent checks
In England, landlords must check that tenants can legally rent before the tenancy starts. With an eVisa you give the landlord a share code.
Official links
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: prove your right to rent www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent | England |
| GOV.UK: Right to Rent checks www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents | England |
Who handles it
Step by step
- Before the tenancy starts, your landlord or letting agent asks you to prove your right to rent.
- If you are British or Irish, show your passport (or another accepted document).
- If you are not British or Irish, get a share code online or show your original immigration documents. You choose which.
- If you cannot prove it, your landlord can ask the Home Office for a right to rent check.
What you need
- British or Irish passport (it can be expired), or a certificate of registration or naturalisation.
- A share code and your date of birth, if you have an eVisa.
- Or your original immigration documents.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the check applies everywhere: it is only for homes in England, not Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Accepting a refusal because you showed a valid document instead of a share code. The landlord cannot reject it for that.