Right to Rent in England – Guide
As a landlord or agent, we are required by law to check the residency status of each prospective tenant over the age of 18 before allowing them to live in one of our properties. This process ensures that the tenant has the legal right to reside in England, and we must verify this through specific documentation.
We have adopted TrustID, a secure digital service, to conduct right to rent checks electronically. This allows us to carry out the checks remotely and more efficiently. However, for certain situations, such as when tenants do not have the necessary documents to complete the check digitally, or as part of our compliance process, we will still carry out spot checks or physical checks in person.
How the Right to Rent Check Works:
- Digital Checks via TrustID:
For most tenants, we will use TrustID to complete the right to rent check. This service allows us to verify your documents digitally and securely, ensuring that they are valid. You will be asked to upload your documentation through the TrustID portal, which will automatically check the authenticity of your documents. Note, applicants will need to complete the digital check using their mobile phone. - Physical Checks:
In cases where digital checks cannot be completed (for example, if you do not have the required documents for digital verification), or if we need to conduct a spot check, we will require you to attend an in-person appointment for a physical right to rent check. This is so that we can compare you to the photograph on your identification documents to ensure that you are who you say you are. During this appointment, we will verify the original documents provided and take copies, as per legal requirements.
Documents for Right to Rent Check
When completing your right to rent check, you will need to provide original documents from the government-approved list. If you are unable to use TrustID for the check, we will arrange a physical meeting to inspect your documents.
You must also complete our “Right to Rent in England” Tenant Application Form, confirming your consent to the retention and sharing of your documents where necessary and affirming the authenticity of the documents provided.
Please read through the government document below to familiarize yourself with the list of acceptable documents you should bring when completing your right to rent check. All documents will be returned to you immediately after copies are made.
For further information, you can refer to the official government guide: Right to Rent Landlords’ Code of Practice.
Key Changes Post-Brexit
Since the UK’s exit from the European Union, nationals of European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Swiss nationals are no longer automatically considered to have permanent residency in the UK. They are now required to prove their right to remain in the UK using the government’s online service.
European Economic Area Countries (EEA) Post-Brexit:
Nationals of the following countries, previously part of the EEA, must now provide proof of their right to remain in the UK:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
EEA nationals, including Swiss nationals, must now use the government’s online verification service to prove their right to rent.
International Students
International students will also need to prove their right to rent in England. This can be done using the government’s online service, which allows students to share their immigration status and demonstrate their eligibility for renting. To complete this process, please visit: Prove Your Right to Rent.
Important Information:
- Spot Checks: Although we use TrustID for digital verification, we are still required to carry out spot checks or in-person checks periodically to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Retention of Documents: We will keep copies of your documents for the duration of your tenancy and for up to one year after the end of your tenancy, or longer if required by law.