Right to Rent is a legal requirement for landlords in England to check that prospective adult occupiers have the right to rent property in the UK. It is separate from tenant screening, but the two are easy to confuse, so it's worth being clear on the difference.
Who must be checked
You must check all occupiers aged 18 and over who will use the property as their only or main home — even if they aren't named on the tenancy agreement. The scheme applies in England only; Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different rules.
How the check works
- Obtain original acceptable documents, a share code for an online check, or use a certified identity service provider as appropriate.
- Check the documents are genuine and belong to the person, in their presence or via a permitted video/online method.
- Make and keep a dated copy for the duration of the tenancy and afterwards as advised.
- Diarise follow-up checks where someone has a time-limited right to rent.
Always confirm the current process and accepted documents via official government guidance before you rely on it — rules change, and this guide is general information, not legal advice.
Right to Rent vs tenant screening
Right to Rent answers a legal question: does this person have the right to rent? Tenant screening answers a commercial one: is this tenancy likely to be affordable and stable? You generally need both — and a credit check or formal referencing may also be appropriate. See how screening compares to a credit check.