A right to rent check needs to be completed for all tenants over the age of 18, even if they are not a named person on the tenancy.

You will need to obtain a copy of the tenant’s passport and confirm that the picture is a like-for-like resemblance of the tenant in person. Once you are happy that the passport is genuine, you will need to enter the tenant’s share code into the government right-to-rent portal and check both photo and the confirmation of residence in the UK.

You will need to obtain 1 document from list A or two documents from list B from the government guidelines.

Simplest way is to obtain a copy of the applicants passport, verify the authenticity and that the picture is a good likeness of the individual in person. Then obtain the individuals share code and complete a search using the home office portal. Once complete keep a copy of the right to rent certificate which will confirm expiry dates of a visa.

A share code is provided to non-British citizens living in the UK with a Biometric residence permit. A share code active for 90 days before a new one is needed to be generated via the home office website.

Step 1: Go to the Home Office online service and review the information. If you have everything you need, click “Start now” under ‘Prove your right to rent online’.

Step 2: You will be asked about your immigration status and to provide details of your evidence, such as your biometric residence card number. You will also be asked to enter your date of birth.

Step 3: Select the reason you need to share your status, in this case, you will select to prove their right to rent. You will be shown a preview of the information.

Step 4: Click “Create share code” and this will generate your unique 9-character code.

Failure to complete a Right To Rent check could result in a 5-year prison sentence or an unlimited fine for renting a property in England to someone who you knew or had reasons to believe they did not have the Right To Rent in the UK.