Right to Rent Share Code: Guide for Landlords & Tenants

Right to Rent Share Code checks are now a standard part of the UK rental process, especially for tenants who are not British or Irish citizens. Introduced as part of the government’s digital verification system, the share code is used to confirm a person’s legal right to rent a property.

For landlords, verifying this code is a legal requirement. Failure to carry out the proper checks can lead to civil penalties or legal action. For tenants, especially those with settled or pre-settled status, having a valid share code ready is essential when applying for a new tenancy.

This article outlines what the Right to Rent Share Code is, who needs it, how to generate it, and how landlords can use it correctly in line with current legal standards.

What is a Right to Rent Share Code?

A Right to Rent Share Code is a digital code issued by the UK government that allows non-UK citizens to prove their immigration status and legal right to rent property in England. It replaces the need to present physical documents in many cases, especially for those who hold digital immigration status.

The code is generated through the UK Home Office’s online service and is valid for 90 days. It allows landlords or letting agents to access a tenant’s current immigration status and confirm whether they are legally allowed to rent.

Each share code is unique and is used alongside the applicant’s date of birth to complete the verification process. This system is part of the government’s move toward a fully digital approach to immigration checks.

Who Needs a Right to Rent Share Code?

A Right to Rent Share Code is required for tenants who do not have a physical document that proves their right to rent in the UK. This typically includes individuals with digital immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme or those who have a visa issued through the UK’s points-based immigration system.

You will need a share code if you are:

• A non-UK, non-Irish citizen with digital status
• An EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen with settled or pre-settled status
• A person with a biometric residence card or permit
• A visa holder who can access their immigration status online

British and Irish citizens, as well as others with physical proof such as a passport or visa vignette, do not need a share code. However, landlords may still request to see appropriate documents in line with Right to Rent checks.

How to Generate a Share Code (Tenants’ Guide)?

Tenants who hold digital immigration status must generate a share code to prove their right to rent a property in England. This process is done online through the official UK government service and usually takes just a few minutes.

Follow these steps to generate your share code:

Step 1: Visit the official GOV.UK website

Go to gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent. This is the Home Office’s official service for generating a Right to Rent share code.

Step 2: Select your immigration status

Choose the type of immigration status you have. This will be one of the following:

• EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen with settled or pre-settled status
• Visa holder with a digital immigration status
• Person with a biometric residence permit or card

You will then be asked to confirm how you proved your status, for example, through the EU Settlement Scheme or a visa application.

Step 3: Enter your personal details

Provide the following information exactly as it appears on your immigration records:

• Your date of birth
• The document or ID you used when applying for your immigration status (for example, a passport or biometric card)

The system will use these details to locate your Home Office record.

Step 4: Choose the purpose of your share code

When asked what the code is for, select to prove my right to rent. This ensures that the generated code allows a landlord or letting agent to perform a Right to Rent check.

Choosing the correct purpose is important. A code created for work or other reasons will not be valid for housing.

Step 5: Receive your share code

Once your details are confirmed, the system will generate a unique nine-character alphanumeric code. It will look something like this: AB1-C2D-3EF.

This share code is valid for 90 days and can be used by any landlord or letting agent to check your status online.

Step 6: Share the code with your landlord

Give your landlord or letting agent the share code along with your date of birth. They will use these to access your Right to Rent details through the Home Office checking service.

You can also download or print a copy of your status confirmation if you prefer to keep a record for yourself.

How Landlords Use the Share Code to Verify a Tenant?

Landlords in England are legally required to carry out Right to Rent checks before a tenancy begins. For tenants who hold digital immigration status, this check must be completed using the Home Office share code and date of birth.

The process is simple but must be done correctly to meet legal obligations. Here is how landlords use the share code to verify a tenant’s right to rent.

Step 1: Receive the share code and the tenant’s date of birth

The tenant must provide a valid nine-character share code (such as W8C-X2Y-3TZ) along with their date of birth. Without both, the verification cannot be completed.

The share code must be generated specifically for renting. Codes generated for employment or other purposes will not show the necessary information for a housing check.

Step 2: Visit the Right to Rent online checking service

The landlord or letting agent should go to the official Home Office website:

gov.uk/view-right-to-rent

This is the only approved platform for digital Right to Rent checks.

Step 3: Enter the tenant’s details

On the portal, enter the share code and the tenant’s date of birth. The system will retrieve the tenant’s immigration status and display whether they have the legal right to rent in the UK.

Information shown may include:

• Full name
• Type of immigration status (settled, pre-settled, visa holder)
• Expiry date of permission to stay (if applicable)
• Restrictions, if any, on the type of tenancy or length

Step 4: Check the result carefully

The page will clearly state whether the person has the right to rent. If they do, the landlord can proceed with the tenancy. If the result says the person does not have the right to rent, the landlord cannot legally let the property to them.

Landlords should look out for any time-limited permissions. In such cases, a follow-up check may be required before the permission expires.

Step 5: Keep a copy for records

The landlord must save evidence of the check. This can be done by downloading a PDF copy or printing the result page. The record should be kept securely for at least one year after the tenancy ends.

If the Home Office later investigates, this record will prove that the landlord followed the correct legal process.

What If the Tenant Doesn’t Have a Share Code?

Not all tenants will have a share code. In some cases, this is normal and acceptable. In others, it may signal that the tenant needs to take further action before their right to rent can be verified. Here’s what landlords and tenants should understand if a share code is not available.

When a share code is not required

A share code is not needed if the tenant can provide acceptable original documents under the manual Right to Rent check. This typically applies to:

• British citizens with a valid passport or birth certificate
• Irish citizens with a passport or national ID card

Individuals with a valid visa or immigration status confirmed by physical documents (such as a visa vignette or biometric residence permit, depending on the date of issue)

In these cases, the landlord must inspect the original documents in person or via a live video call (if using COVID-adjusted processes) and take copies for their records.

When a share code is required but missing

If the tenant is an EU, EEA, or Swiss national or a non-UK visa holder who has digital immigration status, then a share code is required. If the tenant does not have one, they should:

• Visit gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent
• Log in using the details linked to their immigration status
• Generate a new share code for renting purposes

It is the tenant’s responsibility to provide a valid code. The landlord cannot complete the legal check without it and must not proceed with the tenancy until the verification is done.

When in doubt, contact the Home Office

If the tenant cannot provide documents or a share code, and you are unsure of their status, landlords can request a check directly from the Home Office using the Landlord’s Checking Service. This is used in situations where:

• The tenant has an ongoing immigration application
• The tenant has an appeal or administrative review in progress
• The Home Office has issued a certificate of application

In such cases, the landlord must obtain consent from the tenant and submit a request to the LCS. A response will usually be provided within two working days.

Landlords’ Legal Obligations

In England, landlords have a legal duty to carry out Right to Rent checks before allowing any adult to occupy their property under a tenancy agreement. This is part of the UK government’s wider immigration enforcement policy and is enforced by the Home Office under the Immigration Act 2014.

Failing to follow these legal requirements can result in civil penalties of up to £3,000 per tenant, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution.

Who landlords must check

Landlords must check the right to rent for all adult tenants, not just those who appear to be foreign nationals. This includes:

• Any adults living in the property as part of the tenant’s household, even if they are not named on the tenancy agreement.
• Checks must be completed before the tenancy starts.

Accepted forms of verification

There are two ways to carry out Right to Rent checks:

• Manual checks, used for British and Irish citizens or those with physical immigration documents. Landlords must see the original documents in person, check their validity, and keep copies.
• Online checks, used for tenants who have digital immigration status. Landlords use the tenant’s share code and date of birth on the Home Office Right to Rent online service to view and confirm their status.

Both methods are legally valid, but landlords must follow the correct one based on the tenant’s status.

Record keeping

Landlords are legally required to keep proof of the check. This includes:

• A dated copy of the verified documents or online Right to Rent result page
• The date the check was completed
• Confirmation of who carried out the check
• Records must be kept for at least one year after the tenancy ends
• This documentation must be stored securely and made available to the Home Office upon request.

Repeat checks for time-limited status

If a tenant has time-limited immigration status, landlords must carry out a follow-up check shortly before their right to rent expires. This is to ensure the tenant still has legal status to remain in the property.

If the follow-up check shows the tenant no longer has the right to rent, the landlord must report this to the Home Office Landlord’s Checking Service. Failing to do so could result in penalties or legal action.

Agents and delegated checks

If a letting agent is managing the property and has been given written agreement to carry out checks on behalf of the landlord, the legal responsibility passes to the agent. However, if there is no formal agreement in place, the landlord remains fully liable.

Landlords must confirm the agent understands and follows all legal requirements for Right to Rent checks.

Common Tenant & Landlord Scenarios

Tenant Rights & Protections

While landlords are legally required to carry out Right to Rent checks, tenants also have clear rights and protections under UK law. These checks must be handled fairly, lawfully, and without discrimination.

Protection against discrimination

Landlords and letting agents must not discriminate against prospective tenants based on nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status. All adult applicants must be checked in the same way, regardless of how they appear or what documents they provide.

Choosing not to rent to someone just because they are not British or because they need a share code is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.

Right to privacy and consent

Tenants are entitled to know:

• Why the landlord is requesting a share code or immigration documents
• How their information will be used
• That they have the right to withdraw consent or challenge incorrect immigration records

Landlords must not store, share, or misuse a tenant’s personal information. All records should be kept securely and used only for the Right to Rent process.

Opportunity to correct issues

If a tenant cannot immediately provide a share code or valid documents, they must be given a reasonable opportunity to do so. This includes time to:

• Access the online system and generate a share code
• Contact the Home Office if their digital status is unavailable
• Resolve pending applications or disputes

Immediate rejection without explanation or proper verification may be considered unfair treatment.

Challenging incorrect status

Tenants who believe their status has been recorded incorrectly by the Home Office can:

• Contact the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) resolution centre
• Request an update or correction to their record
• Notify the landlord once the issue has been resolved

Protect Yourself Legally

Right to Rent checks are more than just routine paperwork. They are a legal requirement that carries real consequences if ignored or handled incorrectly.

For landlords, the best protection is following the process carefully. Always verify a tenant’s status before the tenancy begins. Use the correct method,  whether it’s a manual document check or an online share code,  and keep records for every adult tenant.

If you’re unsure about a tenant’s status, use the Landlord Checking Service or seek legal advice before proceeding.

For tenants, knowing your rights and preparing your share code in advance helps avoid delays and shows that you’re ready to move forward. If you’re eligible to rent, the share code is your proof, and your responsibility.

Staying informed and compliant protects both parties. It builds trust, avoids legal risks, and ensures that the rental process is fair, transparent, and secure for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions