Housing and renting
How to Prove Your Right to Rent in the UK
How right to rent checks and share codes work, what renters should prepare, and how to avoid housing scams.
Plain-English summary
Right to rent checks apply in England. Many migrants use a GOV.UK share code, but you should also prepare income, references, deposit, and tenancy documents.
Best for: People renting in England, house sharers, lodgers, and families moving home.
What this guide covers
Prepare renter documents
Landlords also commonly request affordability and identity documents.
- ID, proof of income, references, deposit, previous address, and contact details.
- Keep deposit protection evidence and tenancy agreement.
Avoid scams
Do not transfer money before you have checked the property and agent.
- View property or use trusted viewing.
- Check agent details.
- Avoid pressure to pay immediately.
Checklist
Use this as a practical planning list, then confirm official rules for your status and local area.
- 1Generate right to rent share code if applicable.
- 2Prepare ID, income, references, deposit, and address history.
- 3Check tenancy type and deposit protection.
- 4Keep copies of contract, inventory, and receipts.
Trusted starting points
Use official and established advice sources before relying on social media, forums, or paid services.
Related guides
Housing and renting
Renting and housing
Learn how renting works, right to rent checks, deposits, tenancy types, scams, council tax, utilities, homelessness help, and document preparation.
Immigration status
Status, visas and eVisas
Plain-English guide to common UK immigration routes, online status, share codes, expiry dates, public funds warnings, and free advice routes.