The 'Right to Rent' Check: A Guide for New UK Expats

Picture this: you’ve made the leap. The boxes are (mostly) unpacked, you’ve figured out which side of the pavement to walk on, and you’re finally ready to find your own perfect little corner of the United Kingdom to call home. You dive into property websites, dreaming of that cosy flat in Manchester or a garden cottage in the Cotswolds. Then, you hit a term you’ve never seen before: the 'Right to Rent' check.

Suddenly, a wave of admin-induced anxiety hits. What is it? Is my visa enough? What documents do I need?

Relax. Take a deep breath. As an expat who’s been through the wringer of UK bureaucracy, I’m here to tell you that the Right to Rent check is a standard, manageable part of the process. It can feel a bit formal, but once you understand what it is and how to prepare, it’s just one more box to tick on your incredible UK adventure. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know in 2025.

So, What Exactly Is the 'Right to Rent' Check?

Let’s get the official bit out of the way first. The 'Right to Rent' scheme is a legal requirement under the Immigration Act 2014. In simple terms, it means that landlords or letting agents in England must check that any adult (aged 18 or over) has the legal right to live in the UK before they can rent them a property.

The goal is to make it harder for people to live in the UK illegally. For you, the law-abiding expat, it’s simply a verification step. It’s not a credit check or a reference check (though your landlord will do those too!); it’s purely about your immigration status.

A crucial point to remember: This law applies only to England. If you’re planning to rent in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you won’t have to go through this specific process, though landlords will still need to see proof of identity and carry out other standard referencing.

The Right to Rent Process: What to Expect Step-by-Step

The process is fairly straightforward and, thanks to technology, becoming increasingly digital. Here’s how it usually unfolds:

Step 1: The Landlord Makes the Request

After you’ve viewed a property and expressed your interest, the landlord or letting agent will inform you that they need to conduct a Right to Rent check for all adults who will be living there. This must be done for everyone, not just those who seem like they might be from another country, to avoid discrimination.

Step 2: Proving Your Right to Rent

This is the main event. As of 2025, there are two primary ways you can prove your status. The method you use depends on the type of immigration permission you hold.

1. The Online Check (The Most Common Method)

This is the default and preferred method for most non-UK/Irish nationals. If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), or have been granted digital immigration status (an eVisa) through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) app, you’ll use the government’s online service.

Here’s how it works:

• You go to the official GOV.UK: View and prove your immigration status page.
• You’ll enter your BRP/BRC number or the details you used to create your UKVI account (like your passport number and date of birth).
• The service will generate a 'share code'. This code is a unique, time-sensitive alphanumeric code (e.g., 9XY-65Z-ABC).
• You give this share code and your date of birth to the landlord or letting agent.
• They then go to the GOV.UK: View a tenant's right to rent page, enter your code and date of birth, and see a real-time confirmation of your right to rent, including any time limits (like your visa expiry date).

Pro-Tip: Generate a share code as soon as you start your property search. It’s valid for 90 days, and having it ready shows agents you’re organised and prepared.

2. The Manual, In-Person Check

This method is less common now but is still used for certain individuals, primarily British and Irish citizens, or those with older, non-digital immigration documents.

For this, you’ll need to show the landlord your original, valid documents from an official list. The landlord will check the documents in your presence (either in person or via a live video call), verify they are genuine, and make a copy for their records.

The All-Important Documents: What Do You Need?

The documents are split into two lists. What you have determines whether your landlord needs to check you once or conduct follow-up checks.

List A: Documents for an Unlimited Right to Rent

If you have a document from this list, you have a continuous right to rent. The landlord checks you once at the beginning of your tenancy, and that’s it.

• UK or Irish passport (or Irish passport card)
• A passport showing you are a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies with the right of abode
• A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen
• A valid, non-digital immigration document showing Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

List B: Documents for a Time-Limited Right to Rent

This is the list most expats will fall under. If your permission to be in the UK is for a limited time, your landlord must conduct a follow-up check just before your visa expires.

• A valid passport endorsed to show you are allowed to stay in the UK for a limited period.
• A current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC) – Note: You must use the online share code service with these. You cannot use the physical card alone for a check anymore.
• An Application Registration Card (ARC) stating that the holder is permitted to work. The landlord must also verify this with the Home Office’s Landlord Checking Service.

Here’s a simplified table to help you figure out where you stand:

Common Questions & Expat Pain Points Answered

Navigating this for the first time can bring up a few tricky questions. Here are some of the most common ones I hear from fellow expats.

"I'm still overseas. Can I secure a flat before I arrive?"

This is a classic chicken-and-egg problem. You can’t rent a place without a Right to Rent check, and the check technically needs to happen with you present (in person or via video call). Most landlords will not sign a final tenancy agreement until you are in the country and they can verify your documents.

• What you can do: You can agree to a tenancy "in principle." Pay a holding deposit to reserve the property, but the final contracts will only be signed once you arrive and the check is completed. Be very clear about your arrival date with the agent.

"My visa is expiring in two months, but I'm renewing it. Will a landlord reject me?"

This is a valid concern. Landlords see a short time left on your visa and worry about the follow-up check.

• What you should do: Be upfront and proactive. Explain that you are in the process of renewing your visa. Provide proof of your application submission to the Home Office. This shows the landlord that you have a "statutory excuse" and can legally continue to rent while a decision is pending. They can use the Landlord Checking Service to verify this.

"The landlord doesn't understand the share code system. What should I do?"

While most professional letting agents are up to speed, you might encounter a private landlord who is less familiar with the digital system, which became mandatory for BRP/BRC holders in 2022.

• What you should do: Be patient and helpful. The GOV.UK website has clear, simple guides for landlords. Send them the link to the official landlord guidance page. If they are still resistant or seem confused, it might be a red flag, and you may want to consider other properties.

"Do I have to pay for the Right to Rent check?"

Absolutely not. The cost of the check is the landlord's responsibility. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 prohibits them from charging you for it.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Renting Experience

1. Be Prepared: Don’t wait until you’ve found your dream home. Go to the GOV.UK website now and see how to generate your share code. Save it somewhere safe.
2. Organise Your Documents: Have high-quality digital scans and the original copies of your passport, BRP, and any Home Office letters ready to go.
3. Communicate Clearly: When you first contact a letting agent, mention your visa status and that you have your Right to Rent share code ready. This professionalism makes a great first impression.
4. Know Your Rights: A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you simply because you are not a British citizen, as long as you have a valid right to rent. If you feel you are being discriminated against, organisations like Citizens Advice and Shelter can provide free guidance.
5. Follow Up: If you have a time-limited right to rent, set a reminder for yourself about three months before your visa expires to start the conversation with your landlord about the follow-up check. This avoids any last-minute panic.

The Takeaway

The Right to Rent check might sound like just another piece of red tape in your UK relocation journey, but it’s a straightforward and largely digital process in 2025. By understanding what’s required, preparing your documents in advance, and communicating clearly with potential landlords, you can navigate it with confidence.

It’s a small, formal step on the path to getting the keys to your new home. So get that share code ready, and get back to the exciting part – finding that perfect place to begin your new life in the UK. Welcome home