Deposits & tenancy
Right to Rent checks: what landlords must do
Every landlord in England must confirm a tenant has the right to rent before the tenancy begins. Getting the process right is your statutory excuse if something is wrong.
What you must check
The Immigration Act 2014 requires landlords in England to check that every adult occupier has the right to rent before granting a tenancy. You must check all adults, not just the named tenant.
Acceptable evidence is either an online check using a share code, or manual verification of original documents from the Home Office lists, with the tenant present.
Follow-up checks
- Where a tenant has a time-limited right to rent, you must carry out a follow-up check before the earlier of the document expiry or 12 months.
- Keep dated copies of all checks for the duration of the tenancy and for one year afterwards.
Penalties
Civil penalties reach up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier for a first breach, rising to £10,000 and £20,000 for repeat breaches. Knowingly renting to someone without the right to rent is a criminal offence.
Last reviewed September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice - always check your local authority's requirements.
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