What the law requires
Under the Immigration Act 2014 landlords in England must check that every adult who will occupy the property as their only or main home has the right to rent, before the tenancy begins.
Accepted methods:
- Manual check of original documents in the person's presence (or over video call while holding the originals).
- Home Office online check using a share code — required for holders of eVisas and BRPs.
- Identity Document Validation Technology through a certified provider for British and Irish citizens.
Follow-up checks
Where someone has a time-limited right to rent, diarise a repeat check before it expires.
Penalties
Civil penalties of up to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier for a first breach, rising for repeat breaches, and criminal liability where you know or have reason to believe someone has no right to rent.
In LIS
Record each check, the method used and the expiry date against the tenancy; evidence is stored privately.