Right to Rent is a legal duty in England for landlords letting to adult occupiers to confirm each adult has the right to rent in the UK before the tenancy starts. It applies to Assured Shorthold Tenancies, licences, and most lodger arrangements.
Who has to do the check?
The landlord is legally responsible. If a letting agent has been formally instructed to carry out Right to Rent in writing, the agent's check discharges the duty. On KeyMoment's Tenant Find service we administer the check as part of the referencing package before an applicant summary is sent to you.
Who has to be checked?
Every adult (18+) who will live in the property as their main home, whether or not they are named on the tenancy. Children under 18 are not checked but their date of birth should be recorded.
How the check works
There are three routes accepted by the Home Office:
- Manual document check — original acceptable documents seen in person or over live video with the applicant physically holding the original.
- Home Office online check — for applicants with a share code (most non-UK nationals with digital status).
- Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) via a certified provider — for British and Irish citizens with valid passports.
KeyMoment uses an established referencing provider that supports all three routes. We record the check method, date, and copies of the evidence.
Timing
The check must be completed within 28 days before the tenancy start date. For applicants with time-limited immigration status, a follow-up check may be required later in the tenancy — we flag this in the applicant summary.
Records to keep
Retain the check record for the length of the tenancy plus at least one year after it ends. KeyMoment stores our Tenant Find check records for the same period, and we hand a copy to you at tenancy setup.
What if the applicant fails the check?
You must not proceed with the tenancy. Renting to someone without the right to rent can result in a civil penalty and, in some cases, criminal liability. We will tell you clearly if a check returns a negative result.
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change — check gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents for the current rules before you let.