Question 1

What is the Right to Rent check in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Right to Rent is a legal requirement for landlords in England to check that all adult occupiers aged 18 and over have the legal right to live in the UK before granting a tenancy. Landlords can face civil penalties of up to £20,000 per occupier for failing to conduct the check correctly.

Question 2

Who needs a Right to Rent check?

Accepted Answer

All landlords in England renting to adult tenants must conduct a Right to Rent check. This includes British citizens, EU/EEA nationals, and all other nationalities. The check applies to all adult occupiers, not just the named tenant.

Question 3

What documents are acceptable for a Right to Rent check?

Accepted Answer

Acceptable documents include a UK passport, biometric residence permit (BRP), EU Settlement Scheme share code, or other Home Office share codes. For time-limited right to rent, a follow-up check must be conducted when the document expires.

Question 4

Can EU citizens pass a Right to Rent check after Brexit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) have the right to rent in England. They provide a share code via the UK Visas and Immigration online service for landlords to verify their status.

Question 5

What happens if a landlord fails to conduct a Right to Rent check?

Accepted Answer

Landlords who fail to conduct a correct Right to Rent check can face a civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal occupier, or criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine or up to 5 years imprisonment if they knew or had reasonable cause to believe the tenant had no right to rent.