What Right to Rent means
A Right to Rent check confirms that an adult occupant is permitted to rent residential property in England. The check applies to every adult who will use the property as their only or main home, regardless of whether they are named on the tenancy agreement. The responsibility sits with the landlord, but an appointed letting agent can carry out the check on the landlord’s behalf within the agreed service.
How the check is carried out
There are different ways to evidence the right to rent, including checking original documents, using the Home Office online checking service, or using an identity service provider where applicable. The acceptable method depends on the individual’s circumstances, including their nationality and immigration status. A check must be done before the tenancy starts, and for time-limited rights, follow-up checks are required at the appropriate point.
Where it fits in the application process
Right to Rent is one of the required checks completed before a tenancy can begin. It sits alongside identity verification, affordability assessment and the guarantor process. An application cannot bypass the check because other evidence is positive, and keys should not be released until all required move-in checks and paperwork are complete.
Keeping records
Records of the check, including copies of the evidence reviewed or the result from the online service, must be retained for the duration of the tenancy and for one year afterwards. We keep these records as part of the tenancy file where we manage the property.
Applied fairly and consistently
Checks must be applied consistently to all adult occupants, not selectively. We assess every application on its evidence and do not exclude applicants because of their background where the legal checks are satisfied.