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Tenant Right to Rent Checks
A clear guide for letting agents and landlords
Right to Rent is an important legal requirement for landlords and letting agents in England. Before a residential tenancy begins, landlords or their appointed agents must check that all prospective adult occupiers have the legal right to rent the property.
Right to Rent is an important legal requirement for landlords and letting agents in England. Before a residential tenancy begins, landlords or their appointed agents must check that all prospective adult occupiers have the legal right to rent the property.
This page is designed as a general guide only. DB Inventories & Compliance+ does not carry out Right to Rent checks and this page should not be treated as legal advice. Its purpose is to help landlords and letting agents understand the importance of clear process, proper evidence and up-to-date guidance.
What is Right to Rent?
Right to Rent is the legal requirement to check whether an adult occupier has the right to rent residential property in England.
The check must usually be completed before the tenancy starts and should be applied consistently to all prospective adult occupiers.
The process may involve checking acceptable documents, using a tenant’s share code through the GOV.UK online checking service, or following the relevant Home Office guidance where a different type of check is required.
The process may involve checking acceptable documents, using a tenant’s share code through the GOV.UK online checking service, or following the relevant Home Office guidance where a different type of check is required.
Why it matters
Right to Rent checks are an important part of tenancy compliance. If the correct checks are not carried out, landlords or agents may face penalties where a person is found not to have the legal right to rent.
A clear and consistent process also helps protect landlords, agents and tenants. Checks should be carried out fairly and should not be based on assumptions about a person’s name, nationality, appearance, accent or background.
Keeping proper evidence
Good record keeping is essential. Landlords or agents should keep clear evidence that the correct check was completed at the correct time and in the correct way.
This may include copies of acceptable documents, records of online checks, share code confirmations, dates of checks and any required follow-up dates where a tenant has a time-limited right to rent.
A clear and consistent process also helps protect landlords, agents and tenants. Checks should be carried out fairly and should not be based on assumptions about a person’s name, nationality, appearance, accent or background.
Keeping proper evidence
Good record keeping is essential. Landlords or agents should keep clear evidence that the correct check was completed at the correct time and in the correct way.
This may include copies of acceptable documents, records of online checks, share code confirmations, dates of checks and any required follow-up dates where a tenant has a time-limited right to rent.
Useful links
For the most up-to-date guidance, landlords and letting agents should refer directly to official sources:
Understanding property compliance
At DB Inventories & Compliance+, our work sits within a wider compliance environment for landlords and letting agents.
Although we do not complete Right to Rent checks, we understand the importance of accurate records, clear processes and professional standards within the private rented sector.
From inventories and check-outs to inspections and compliance-related reporting, our aim is always to support professional standards and provide reports that agents and landlords can rely on.
