landlords
Right to Rent Checks for London Landlords: What You Must Do
What Is Right to Rent?
Right to Rent is a legal obligation requiring all private residential landlords in England to check that their tenants have the legal right to rent property in the UK. The requirement was introduced by the Immigration Act 2014 and became mandatory nationwide in February 2016.
Who Must Carry Out Right to Rent Checks?
The obligation falls on the landlord. Managing agents can carry out checks on behalf of landlords, but the landlord remains legally responsible if checks are not carried out. Landlords cannot delegate this responsibility without a formal written agreement.
What Documents Are Acceptable for Right to Rent?
List A documents (unlimited right to rent — one document sufficient):
- UK passport (current or expired)
- EU Settlement Scheme status confirmation
- British National Overseas passport with vignette
- Certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen
List B documents (time-limited right to rent — recheck required before expiry):
- Current passport with valid visa
- Current Biometric Residence Permit
- Home Office document confirming right to rent
Frequently asked questions
What are the penalties for London landlords who fail Right to Rent checks?
Penalties for renting to someone without the right to rent range from £10,000 for a first breach to £20,000 per tenant for subsequent breaches. Criminal prosecution is possible where a landlord knowingly rents to an illegal migrant, with unlimited fines and up to 5 years imprisonment. Civil penalties can be avoided by demonstrating correct checks were carried out.
Do Right to Rent checks need to be repeated during a tenancy?
For List A documents (unlimited right to rent), one check at the start of tenancy is sufficient. For List B documents (time-limited), the check must be repeated before the document expires — typically annually or every 2 years. If a tenant's visa expires and they cannot provide evidence of a new right to rent, the landlord must notify the Home Office.
Can Right to Rent checks be done digitally in London?
Yes — since April 2022, landlords can use government-approved Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) to conduct digital identity checks for British and Irish citizens. EU nationals with EU Settlement Scheme status can also use the Home Office online checking service. These digital checks provide the same legal protection as manual document checks.