Right to Rent Share Code Check for Foreign Tenants: Are You at Risk of Losing Your Home?

If you’re a foreign tenant renting in the UK, your landlord may have recently asked for something called a Right to Rent Share Code. You’re not alone if that request left you feeling confused or even scared.

At Housing Disrepair Experts, we understand how overwhelming the system can be—especially if you’re not familiar with the rules. The truth is, understanding your rights around the Share Code could be the key to keeping your home.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Right to Rent Share Code Check: who needs it, what it means, and how it affects your legal rights as a tenant.

The Right to Rent Share Code Check is a legal process used by landlords to confirm whether someone has permission to rent in the UK. This rule came from the Immigration Act 2014, which made landlords responsible for checking their tenants’ immigration status.

For foreign tenants, the Home Office introduced a digital system where tenants provide a Share Code—a unique nine-digit reference number that allows landlords to verify your immigration status online.

Required by law for most non-British tenants
Allows landlords to check your right to rent without physical documents
Prevents discrimination (when used properly)

Read more: Can a Tenant Claim Squatters’ Rights? The Ultimate Guide You Need to Know!

Knowing whether you need to provide a Share Code can save you a lot of stress.

You’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and moved to the UK after January 1, 2021
You have a temporary visa (e.g., student, work, or spousal)
You have settled or pre-settled status
You’ve been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection

You’re a British or Irish citizen
You’re on a 12-month visitor visa with clear restrictions
You’re a tenant in asylum accommodation supported directly by the Home Office

Always check the latest guidance: gov.uk

This is one of the most common concerns among our clients, and the answer is complex.

Landlords can refuse to rent if you don’t provide proof of your right to rent. However, they must follow legal procedures before trying to evict you.

Landlords must:

Give you a fair chance to provide your Share Code
Verify the code using the Home Office portal
Issue proper Section 8 or Section 21 notices if they want to end the tenancy

If they skip any of these steps, they may be breaking the law.

Case study: A 2019 UK High Court ruling found that the Right to Rent scheme leads to racial discrimination and is incompatible with human rights laws. The court concluded that landlords, fearing penalties, were more likely to reject foreign nationals and ethnic minorities, regardless of their actual legal status.

BBC News – High Court Ruling

Tip: Landlords are not allowed to harass or threaten tenants into leaving without formal notice. If this happens, call us immediately.

Read more: How to Check Immigration Share Code: A Complete Guide

Getting your Share Code is usually simple if you have digital access and the right ID. Here’s a quick guide:

Status Type	What You Need	How to Get It
EU Settled/Pre-settled	Passport / National ID	gov.uk
Student/Work Visa	BRP or online immigration record	Home Office portal
Refugee or Humanitarian	Home Office reference number	Call legal rep or use the GOV support hotline
Asylum Seekers (pending)	May not have the Share Code—seek legal help	Contact a legal advisor or the Home Office

If you’re struggling to access the system, we can help walk you through it confidentially.

Landlords must follow legal guidance. If they refuse your valid Share Code, it may be considered:

Discrimination (based on nationality or immigration status)
A violation of tenancy law (especially if you’re already under contract)
Grounds for legal action

If your landlord rejects your code without a valid reason, you can:

Contact the Home Office Landlord Checking Service
Report unlawful eviction attempts to your local council
Get free legal advice from Housing Disrepair Experts

Case Study: Research published in the Modern Law Review revealed that landlords are less likely to rent to tenants who can only provide a digital Share Code, such as EU nationals with settled status. Despite being legal residents, these tenants were often overlooked in favour of those who could present physical documents.

Modern Law Review Study

Read more: The Right to Rent in the UK Explained: Key Facts Every Tenant Must Know
Read more

Can You Still Claim Housing Disrepair Compensation If You Have Immigration Concerns?

Absolutely. Your immigration status does not remove your right to live in a safe and healthy home.

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, all tenants—regardless of visa status—have the right to:

Repairs for leaks, mould, damp, and electrical problems
Protection from unsafe living conditions
Compensation for damage to health or property

We regularly help clients with pending immigration status win their claims.

Sometimes, landlords misuse the law to intimidate tenants into leaving. Here’s what to look out for:

Warning signs:

Constantly asking for your Share Code even after verification
Refusing repairs unless you provide immigration documents
Threatening eviction with no legal notice
Pressuring you to leave “voluntarily”

If you experience this, we recommend:

Keeping written records of all communication
Contacting us for legal advice—we act fast to stop harassment

Conclusion: Protect Your Right to Rent with Confidence

Understanding the Right to Rent Share Code Check is essential for foreign tenants in the UK. In this article, we covered who needs a Share Code, how to get one, what to do if your landlord misuses it, and—most importantly—how it impacts your right to a safe, livable home. We also clarified that your immigration status does not affect your right to housing repairs or compensation.

At Housing Disrepair Experts, we specialise in defending tenant rights, especially when immigration and housing issues overlap. With over 40 years of combined legal experience, a no-win-no-fee policy, and a deep understanding of Bradford’s rental landscape, we’re trusted by tenants across the UK.

📞 Call us today on 01274 123456
📍 Visit us in Bradford, West Yorkshire
🌐 Explore more at: www.housingdispairexperts.co.uk

Let us help you stay safe, stay informed, and stay in your home—legally and securely.

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FAQs

A Share Code is a unique reference number issued by the UK Home Office that lets landlords check your immigration status online. If you’re a foreign national or EU/EEA citizen, your landlord is legally required to verify your right to rent using this code.

No, not immediately. Landlords must follow proper legal procedures and give you time to provide your Share Code. Evicting you without formal notice could be illegal and considered harassment.

Yes. Even with settled or pre-settled status, you must provide a Share Code for digital proof. This applies to most EU citizens renting in the UK post-Brexit.

If your code doesn’t work, ask the Home Office to issue a new one. You can also use the Landlord Checking Service or get legal help to avoid delays or unfair treatment by your landlord.

Yes. Your immigration status does not affect your right to live in a safe home. You can still take legal action for housing disrepair, including compensation, regardless of your Share Code status.

Living in poor conditions because your landlord won’t act?

You could be owed £1,000s in compensation, and we’ll make sure your repairs get done quickly and hassle free.