How to Check a Tenant’s Right to Rent in East London

Many landlords are unsure of how to check their tenants’ right to live in the UK. But don’t take the risk of ignoring it.

Landlord Zone shared in October 2025 that fines for Rent to Right infringements shot up from £596,400 between 2023-24, to over £4,200,000 from 2024-25. In other words, East London landlords need to get up to speed.

But what is Right to Rent? The rules apply to every private rented property in England, so whether you rent out an HMO in Camden or a family home in Romford, you need to know how to check Right to Rent as a landlord.

What Is A Right To Rent Check & When Did They Start?

Right to Rent checks started in the UK on 1 February 2016 as part of the government’s Immigration Act 2014. The rules only apply in England, tenants do not have to pass Right to Rent checks in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

How To Condict A Rent To Rent Check As A Landlord

The exact process depends on your tenant’s nationality and available documents. Read on to find out how to Right to Rent checks are carried out in each scenario.

1. Identify who needs the check

You need to check Right to Rent for every resident aged 18 or over – even if you think they are British.

2. Decide which method to use

Depending on your tenant’s nationality and identity document, you will follow one of these processes.

3. Manual document-based check

Check the original documents and make copies. This includes passport pages proving their name, date of birth, nationality, the ID’s expiry date and their photograph.

4. Using digital identity (IDSP/IDVT)

You can use a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP) to check Right to Rent for British and Irish citizens.

5. Using the Home Office online checking service

Tenants with a physical biometric residence card or permit, settled or pre-settled status, or waiting for their EU Settlement Scheme decision, must give you a share code.

6. When to use the Home Office landlord checking service (LCS)

The Landlord Checking Service is for tenants who are awaiting their application result or appeal, and/or the Home Office currently holds their documents. Request a Home Office Right to Rent check with their online checking service here.

7. Follow-up (ongoing) checks

If your tenants’ right to stay in the UK is time limited, carry out follow-up Right to Rent checks at the end of that period.

8. Avoid discrimination throughout

You must check every resident. Never discriminate based on accent, names or other assumptions.

9. Record-keeping & documentation

Keep photos or photocopies of the relevant pages. As outlined on gov.uk, you can be asked to prove you’ve carried out the checks correctly.

Want to know more? Discover whether buy-to-let is still worth it in East London and learn about the tenancy deposit dispute process if disagreements arise at the end of a tenancy.

What Are The Necessary Documents For A Right To Rent Check?

Your tenants should show you original documents to prove their identity. The UK and Irish Citizens Group 1 document list includes:

• British passport
• British certificate of registration
• British certificate of naturalisation
• Irish passport
• Irish passport card

If your tenants are British or Irish citizens without current or expired passports, they can provide two Group 2 documents instead, including:

• Full UK or Ireland birth certificate or adoption certificate
• Current UK driving licence
• Letter from a UK local council
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate
• Letter from the tenant’s employer dated within the last 3 months

Non-UK or Ireland citizens can use current immigration documents carrying a Home Office endorsement (e.g. a stamp) as listed on gov.uk:

• Passport
• Immigration status document granting permission to live in the UK
• Home Office travel document

You can ask your tenants for a Right to Rent share code if they are not British or Irish.

Looking for a hassle-free letting solution? Explore our guaranteed rent in Stratford, rent guarantee service in Newham & guaranteed rent in Grays

What If I Do Not Carry Out Right To Rent Checks?

Landlords who don’t check their tenants’ Right to Rent can face a civil penalty of £10,000, up to £20,000 for repeated penalties, or a prison sentence of up to 5 years.

Can letting agents do right to rent checks on your behalf?

Yes, your letting agent can check a tenant’s Right to Rent. According to government research, 1 in 5 landlords lacks confidence in how to check Right to Rent. If you’re among them, your letting agent can help.

Who does not require a right to rent check?

All permitted occupiers need Right to Rent checks, but you don’t need to check Right to Rent for temporary guests. This means friends or family who are genuine house guests of your tenants.

Want to find out more? Read our guide to resolving a breach of tenancy agreement by a tenant and explore what a periodic tenancy means for East London landlords under the new rental reforms.

Understanding The Right To Rent Check

Working out how to check Right to Rent may feel like a lot of pressure, but support is at hand. If you rent out properties in East London areas such as Redbridge, Newham, Beckton, Plaistow, Wanstead or Dagenham areas, Lint Group can help. Contact us today.