Right to rent
The legal check a landlord in England must make, before a tenancy starts, that every adult who will live in the home is allowed to rent in the UK.
In short: Right to rent is the immigration check under the Immigration Act 2014. Before letting, a landlord in England must check that every adult who will live in the home as their main home has the right to rent, and keep the evidence. A landlord who skips it can face a civil penalty.
英格兰。 于 5 October 2026 对照法律进行核查. 信息，非法律建议。
How the check is done:
- British and Irish citizens: the original document (such as a passport) seen in person, or a certified digital identity check.
- Everyone else: the Home Office online service, using the person's share code.
- Time-limited permission: a follow-up check before it runs out.
Check every adult, not only those who seem to be from abroad: picking people to check by how they look or sound is discrimination. Keep copies or the online result for the tenancy and a year after.
Civil penalties run up to £20,000 per occupier for repeat breaches. The Home Office's updated codes of practice apply to checks from 1 October 2026.
Read more: Right to rent checks
Related: Lodger, Letting agent
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Guides on this
Guide
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Rent in advance and rent bidding: what the Renters’ Rights Act allows
Since 1 May 2026 you cannot take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, can take at most one month's rent before it starts, and cannot invite or accept offers above the rent you advertised.
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First-time landlord checklist for England
From deciding to let to the first rent arriving: the consents, safety checks, licence, right to rent, written statement, deposit, inventory, landlord database and tax, in order, as the law stands after 1 May 2026.
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Right to rent checks
Before any adult moves into a property you let in England, you must check they have the right to rent, and keep the evidence. Manual, online share-code or certified digital checks, and what to do about time-limited permission.
Related terms
Glossary
Client money protection (CMP)
Cover that repays landlords and tenants if an agent loses or misuses money it holds for them. Compulsory for agents in England that hold client money.
Glossary
Energy performance certificate (EPC)
A certificate rating a home's energy efficiency from A (best) to G, valid for ten years. Needed before a home is let or sold, and shown in adverts.
Glossary
Guarantor
A person who promises in writing to pay the rent, or cover other losses, if the tenant does not. Often asked of students or people on a lower income.
Glossary
Holding deposit
A payment of up to one week's rent to reserve a home while the landlord checks an application. It must be returned or put towards the rent or deposit.
Glossary
Letting agent
A business that finds tenants for landlords or manages lets. In England it must join a redress scheme, publish its fees and, if it holds client money, have CMP.
Glossary
Material information
The facts about a home a person needs to decide whether to rent or buy it, such as the rent or price, council tax band, EPC and any known risks, which an advert must not leave out.