England · Updated for the code from 1 October 2026 · Free Excel record
Right to rent
check.
Before a tenancy starts, check that every adult who’ll live there has the right to rent. Use their share code, their documents or a registered provider, keep a dated copy, and follow up if their right is time-limited.
Download the check recordFree Excel file · No signup
England only. Not legal advice.
01 /
Check every
adult.
Check everyone aged 18 or over who will live at the property as their only or main home, before the tenancy starts. That includes adults who aren’t named on the agreement.
Everyone, the same way
Check every adult, including British and Irish citizens. Only checking people you think might not have the right to rent can be unlawful discrimination.
England only
Right to rent checks apply to homes in England. They don’t apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Children under 18 don’t need a check.
02 /
Three ways
to check.
Which one you use depends on the person. Someone with an eVisa can only prove their right to rent with a share code.
| Method | What you do |
|---|---|
| Online, with a share code | Ask for their share code and date of birth, then use GOV.UK’s check a tenant’s right to rent service. Check the photo matches the person, in person or by video call. Save the result page. |
| Documents | See the original documents from the Home Office’s acceptable lists, with the person there in person or on a video call. Check they’re genuine and belong to them, then make a copy that can’t be altered. |
| Registered digital provider | A provider can check British and Irish passports, including expired ones, for you. From 1 October 2026, the provider must be on the government’s register. |
| Landlord Checking Service | Use it if someone can’t show their right to rent because of an ongoing Home Office application or appeal, or a problem with their digital status. It replies yes or no within two working days. |
03 /
Get the
timing right.
When you check depends on whether the person’s right to rent has an end date.
- Unlimited right to rentCheck at any time before the tenancy agreement is entered into. No follow-up check is needed.
- Time-limited right to rentCheck no earlier than 28 days before the tenancy starts, counting every calendar day.
- Follow-up checkCheck again before the longest of: 12 months from your last check, or when their permission or document expires. If they can’t show their right to rent then, report it to the Home Office.
Checks · Oak flat worked example
| Adult | How checked | Date | Result | Follow-up due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | UK passport, seen in person | 20 Oct 2026 | Unlimited | None |
| Sam | Online, with share code | 15 Oct 2026 | Time-limited | 15 Oct 2027 Permission ends 30 Jun 2027, so 12 months after the check is later. |
The tenancy starts on 1 November 2026, so Sam’s check on 15 October is within 28 days. Fictional people, in WorkedExample.
04 /
Keep a copy.
Then delete it.
Your dated copy is your evidence that you checked properly, called a statutory excuse. Without it you could face a civil penalty.
What to keep
The online check result, or clear copies of the documents (front and back where needed), plus the date you did the check.
Keep them securely for the whole tenancy and one year after it ends, then delete them securely.
Civil penalties
For a first breach: up to £10,000 per occupier, or £5,000 per lodger. For a repeat breach within three years: up to £20,000 per occupier, or £10,000 per lodger.
What changes on 1 October 2026?
A new Home Office code of practice comes into force. It says more clearly when checks must be done, requires any digital verification provider you use to be on the government register, and adds digital versions of some documents to the acceptable lists.
Can I check a share code before we meet?
You can look up the result online, but you still need to check the photo matches the person, either in person or on a live video call.
Where should I keep the copies?
In a secure, private folder. The free record only notes the filename and dates, so personal documents stay out of the spreadsheet.
What else do I need before move-in?
Record the property’s condition with the free inventory template, and gather your other paperwork with the property handover checklist.
Check the official guidance
These pages set out the rules this guide summarises.
- Home Office — right to rent codes of practice, including the code from 1 October 2026
- GOV.UK — checking your tenant’s right to rent
- GOV.UK — check a tenant’s right to rent with their share code
- GOV.UK — check if someone can rent your residential property
- GOV.UK — right to rent guidance collection, including the Landlord Checking Service
One row per adult. Nothing forgotten.
Save a copy of the free record and fill it in as you do each check.
Sproutlet’s app is still in development. These resources are free to use now.