Check your tenant's right to rent

If you're renting out private property in England, including subletting or taking in lodgers, it's essential to conduct Right to Rent checks. These checks are a legal requirement to confirm that your tenants or lodgers are allowed to rent residential property in England.

Who you have to check

Right to Rent checks must be done:

• for all new tenancies
• on all people aged 18 and over living in the property, named in the tenancy agreement or not
• within 28 days before the start of a new tenancy
• regardless of the type of tenancy agreement – written or oral

Failure to conduct these checks can lead to fines of up to £3,000. The UK Visa and Immigration Service, a part of the Home Office, enforces this law.

Note: Tenants in specific accommodation types, such as social housing and care homes, are exempt from these checks.

How to perform Right to Rent checks

1. identify which adults will live in the property as their only or main home
2. examine the original documents that prove the tenant’s right to live in the UK
3. ensure the documents are authentic and belong to the tenant, in their presence
4. make and keep copies of the documents, recording the date of the check
5. inform the Home Office if you learn a tenant can no longer legally rent in England to avoid fines

Further information and resources

For more detailed guidance:

• Visit GOV.UK - Check your tenant's right to rent for comprehensive instructions
• Use the GOV.UK - Online immigration status checker for verifying immigration status