Guidance

Right to rent immigration checks: landlords' code of practice

Guidance for landlords, homeowners and letting agents affected by the introduction of right to rent immigration checks.

From:
Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration
Published
3 September 2014
Last updated
3027 JuneMarch 20262024 — See all updates

Documents

Code of practice on right to rent: Right to Rent Scheme for landlords and their agents:agents, the13 February 2024 (accessible version)

HTML

Code of practice on right to rentrent: schemeRight to Rent Scheme for landlords and their agents:agents, 113 OctoberFebruary 20262024

HTMLPDF, 604 KB, 37 pages

Code of practice on right to rent: Rightcivil topenalty Rentscheme Scheme for landlords and their agents,agents: 136 FebruaryApril 20242022 (accessible version)

HTML

Code of practice on right to rent: civil penalty scheme for landlords and their agents: 6 April 2022

PDF, 1.14 MB, 42 pages

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Code of practice for landlords: avoiding unlawful discrimination when conducting ‘right to rent’ checks in the private rented residential sector: 16 OctoberApril 20262022 (accessible version)

HTML

Code of practice for landlords: avoiding unlawful discrimination when conducting ‘right to rent’ checks in the private rented residential sector: 6 April 2022

HTMLPDF, 185 KB, 15 pages

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You can view previous versions of these codes of practice at the National Archives

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20220329170020/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-rent-landlords-code-of-practice

Details

Landlords must carry out the prescribed checks set out in the Landlords guide to right to rent checks.

The code of practice explains:

  • if your property is affected
  • if any exemptions apply
  • how to carry out a right to rent check
  • what documents individuals can show you as evidence of their right to rent
  • when and how to request a right to rent check from the Home Office
  • how to avoid unlawful discrimination when conducting immigration right to rent checks
  • how the civil penalty scheme works

Landlords of properties throughout England should check that someone has the right to rent before letting them a property.

Read an overview of right to rent checks and the civil penalties landlords can face for illegal renting.

Check that a tenant or lodger can legally rent your residential property.

If you’re a tenant, find out how right to rent affects you in our guide to private renting.

A collection of guidance is also available to help landlords, homeowners and letting agents carry out correct right to rent checks and avoid civil penalties.

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Updates to this page

Published 3 September 2014

Last updated 3027 JuneMarch 2026 —2024 + show Show all updates

    2. Added the updated versions of the codes of practice which come into force on 1 October 2026.

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