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Right to Rent checks for international students

Find out how to prove your Right to Rent in England, including how to get a share code and what to provide to your landlord.

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What is a Right to Rent check?

Landlords in England must check that tenants or lodgers have the right to rent before the tenancy starts.

Right to Rent checks do not apply to properties in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

International students with valid immigration permission may have a time-limited Right to Rent.

How do I prove my Right to Rent?

Your landlord is responsible for carrying out the check, but you will need to provide evidence of your Right to Rent.

If you have a UKVI account or are otherwise eligible to use the online service, you can get a Right to Rent share code on GOV.UK. Your landlord uses your share code and date of birth to check your Right to Rent and how long you can rent for.

You may be able to use the online service if you have:

  • a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • an eVisa
  • settled or pre-settled status
  • an eligible Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

What if I cannot use a share code?

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to prove your Right to Rent using accepted original immigration documents. 

Check GOV.UK guidance on proving your Right to Rent to find out which method applies to you.

  • As a tenant you do not need to do anything, it is your landlord's responsibility to check
  • You must provide original evidence to your landlord to prove your immigration status or a share code
  • If you have limited immigration permission, your landlord must check your immigration permission again after 12 months or before your immigration permission expires, whichever is later
  • If you are staying in University accommodation you are exempt from the Right to Rent check

Will my landlord check my Right to Rent again?

If you have time-limited immigration permission, your landlord may need to carry out a further Right to Rent check.

University accommodation

If you are staying in University accommodation, you are exempt from the Right to Rent check.

The University of Hertfordshire cannot confirm your Right to Rent to a private landlord.

For further information, check the current GOV.UK guidance on proving your Right to Rent.

 

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