When you rent a home in England, your landlord must check you have the legal Right to Rent before the tenancy starts. It sounds daunting, but it’s a quick, free step — usually just giving the landlord a share code or showing a document. Here’s exactly how to prove it, why the landlord must check everyone the same way, and how to spot an unfair or fake request.
Right to Rent is a Home Office rule requiring landlords (and letting agents) in England to check that everyone aged 18 or over who will live in a property as their main home can legally rent there, before the tenancy begins. It applies to all adult occupiers — not just the people named on the tenancy agreement.
It depends on your status — but it’s always free:
| You are… | How you prove it |
|---|---|
| Not a British or Irish citizen | Get a share code from GOV.UK (gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent) using your passport/BRP + date of birth, and give it to your landlord to check online |
| A British or Irish citizen | You can’t get a share code — prove it with an original document (like a passport), or through a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP) |
The landlord then either checks your share code on the GOV.UK service, or checks your original documents with you present, and keeps a dated copy. That’s it.
There are two kinds of Right to Rent:
About to rent in England and not a British/Irish citizen? Generate your free Right to Rent share code on GOV.UK before your referencing appointment, so you’re ready. British or Irish? Have your passport handy.
While you’re setting up the tenancy, check your other rights: what a landlord can charge, your deposit protection, and the gas safety certificate they must give you.
A Home Office rule making landlords in England check that every adult (18+) who’ll live in a property as their main home can legally rent, before the tenancy starts. England only — not Scotland, Wales or NI.
If you’re not a British or Irish citizen, get a free share code from GOV.UK and give it to your landlord. British and Irish citizens use an original document like a passport, or a certified Identity Service Provider. It’s free either way.
Yes — all adult occupiers, the same way. It’s against the law to only check people the landlord thinks aren’t British, and refusing to rent to you on those grounds is unlawful discrimination.
No — proving your Right to Rent is free, and agents can’t charge you for the check (it would be a banned tenant fee). Never pay a third-party site for a share code.
If your permission to be in the UK has an end date, your Right to Rent is time-limited and the landlord does a follow-up check later. Keep your status current and get a fresh share code when asked. British/Irish and settled-status renters are checked only once.
Sources: Proving and checking Right to Rent · GOV.UK — Prove your right to rent and Check a tenant’s right to rent. SortedUK is not a law firm and this is general information. Last reviewed: 2 July 2026.
Proving your Right to Rent is a simple, free step — and the landlord must treat everyone the same. Get your share code ready and know an unfair request when you see one.