Right to rent checks form part of letting a home in England. Before a new tenancy, identify which adults will occupy the property and use the Home Office guide to establish which checks apply. Give applicants the same information about the available routes and allow them to use whichever prescribed route is appropriate for their circumstances. The process should be applied consistently, regardless of a person’s name, accent or appearance.
Choose the correct checking route
The Home Office provides different routes depending on the evidence the applicant can use. A person who holds only an eVisa must use the online route. Ask for a right to rent share code and the applicant’s date of birth, then use the official landlord checking service. Compare the photograph on the result with the person and review any follow-up instructions. Retain the dated result securely so you can show which check you carried out.
Some applicants can use eligible documents. Use the current Home Office list and follow its instructions for checking and recording them. If an applicant has an outstanding immigration application, review or appeal and the online service cannot confirm their status, the Landlord Checking Service may be appropriate. Check the official guidance before drawing any conclusion from a failed lookup or a missing document.
Keep track of checks and deadlines
The Home Office sets different timing rules for people with continuous and time-limited rights. For a time-limited right, the initial check generally needs to be done within the 28 calendar days before entering into the agreement. Add any required follow-up date to your calendar when you record the result. Review the instructions again at the follow-up stage, especially if the result has changed or the service asks you to contact the Home Office.
If a letting agent handles checks for you, confirm in writing who is responsible and how you will obtain the records. Keep those records in a secure place with access limited to staff who need them. A consistent checklist helps the team see which checks are complete and which require follow-up.