Renting a property in the UK can come with some obligations for both those renting and their landlords. One of the crucial things to understand is the Right to Rent Share Code. This distinctive code makes it possible to identify a tenant and verify that a person has the legal right to rent a property in England.
Brought in under the Immigration Act 2014, it assists landlords in conducting pre-tenancy checks to prevent penalties. The code is associated with your immigration status and is checked via an online verification service put in place by GOV.UK services.
Whether you’re a landlord making sure your tenant is adhering to rental agreement compliance or you’re a tenant proving your documentation of legal residency, here is everything you need to know in a simple, clear format.
What is the Right to Rent Share Code?
Right to Rent Share Code is a particular alphanumeric code that is used to demonstrate a tenant’s right to rent in the UK. It’s one of many efforts by the government to make immigration checks more efficient and also ensure that rental agreement terms are met. This code is provided via GOV.UK service is given to landlords or letting agents.
Legal Background of Right to Rent
Introduced by the Immigration Act 2014, this system shifted much of the verification of immigration status to private landlords. It’s now their job to ensure that a person can legally rent.
Failing to do so can result in civil penalties for landlords up to £20,000 per tenant. In severe cases, criminal charges for landlords may also apply.
What is a Share Code and Why Does It Matter?
The share code for tenants replaces the need to show physical documents. It gives quick and secure access to their immigration status through the online verification service. By entering the code and date of birth verification on the GOV.UK portal, landlords get a real-time verification of the tenant’s status. This ensures simplified compliance for both parties.
Who Needs a Right to Rent Share Code?
Not every tenant in the UK needs to provide a share code. But knowing who does is important.
Who Has the Right to Rent in the UK?
People with the legal right to rent include:
- British citizens and Irish nationals.
- EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK or pre-settled status.
- Visa holders in the UK with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
- Those with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or permanent residency.
- Asylum seekers in the UK or those with temporary residency verified by the Home Office.
Who Must Prove Their Right to Rent with a Share Code?
Tenants who must use a share code verification process are usually:
- Non-UK nationals using digital immigration records.
- Tenants without physical documents but registered through the Home Office.
When and How Often Must You Provide It?
The share code must be provided before signing a tenancy agreement. For those with a time-limited right to rent, landlords must do a follow-up right to rent check before the visa expires.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to carry out proper checks can lead to severe non-compliance penalties:
| Offence | Penalty |
| No initial check | £20,000 per tenant |
| No follow-up for time-limited status | Fines or legal action |
| Knowingly renting illegally | Criminal charges for landlords, with potential imprisonment of up to five years. (addleshawgoddard.com) |
Statistical Insight:
- 405% Increase in Fines: In 2023, fines for non-compliance surged by 405%, totalling £151,480, up from £29,960 in 2022. The number of penalties issued rose from 32 to 155.
- 2024 Q1 Fines Surpass Previous Year: In the first quarter of 2024 alone, fines reached £165,680, exceeding the total for the entire previous year.
(Source: lettingsinabox.co.uk)
Case Study:
In a notable incident from May 2025, a landlord faced a substantial penalty of £66,000 due to a significant oversight in adhering to the Right to Rent regulations. This case underscores the critical importance of landlords conducting thorough immigration status checks to ensure tenants have the legal right to rent in the UK.
(Source: Landlord Today)
How to Get Your Right to Rent Share Code
Tenants can easily generate a share code on the GOV.UK portal. Here’s how:
Step-by-Step Guide for Tenants
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Visit GOV.UK |
| 2 | Enter immigration details (BRP, passport, visa) |
| 3 | Verify identity via verification code by email/SMS |
| 4 | Receive and copy your unique alphanumeric code |
| 5 | Share with landlord + your DOB |
If you want to know in detail about the Right to Rest Share Code verification, do read our latest article: What Steps Should You Take to Verify the Right to Rent Share Code in Your Rental Agreement?
Required Documents & Details
You’ll need:
- Biometric residence card or BRP
- Visa reference number
- Date of birth and registered email or phone
To know in detail about the required documents, do read our article: Right to Rent Documents: Essential Checklist for Landlords (2025)
Validity of a Share Code
The validity of share code is 90 days. If it expires, tenants must generate a new code. This is important for right to rent renewal checks.
How Landlords Can Use a Share Code to Check Right to Rent
The tenant verification process through GOV.UK is simple, but crucial.
How to Check the Code Using GOV.UK Online Service
Visit the GOV.UK Right to Rent service and enter the share code and tenant’s date of birth. You will see the tenant’s status:
- Unlimited right to rent
- Time-limited right to rent
- No right to rent
This is a rental eligibility check with a check outcomes table on the website.
Keeping Records: What and How Long
Landlords must keep a record of the check, such as a screenshot or a PDF. According to the Right to Rent Code of Practice, these records should be stored for at least 1 year after the tenancy ends.
What If the Tenant Doesn’t Have a Share Code?
If a tenant can’t provide a code:
- Ask for document-based checks (passport, BRP).
- Use Home Office Landlord Checking Service.
- Don’t reject them immediately. That may count as unlawful discrimination housing.
What Happens If a Tenant Fails a Right to Rent Check?
If a tenant fails, the landlord must:
- Report the case to the Home Office verification team.
- Avoid signing tenancy unless cleared.
- Never evict without legal instruction.
Specific Scenarios Based on Immigration Status
Let’s look at three main groups and how Right to Rent applies to them.
British and Irish Citizens
They don’t need a share code. Landlords just check:
- UK/Irish passport
- Birth certificate + National Insurance
- Naturalisation documents
EU Citizens
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals need:
- Settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Share code from online share code check
Non-EU Citizens
Most will use:
- Visa holders with BRP
- Share code generated via GOV.UK services
Rights & Protections for Tenants
Avoiding Discrimination in Right to Rent Checks
Landlord responsibilities include fair treatment. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits rejecting tenants based on:
- Race and immigration status
- Nationality or accent
This falls under landlord’s duty of care.
- A 2021 evaluation by the UK government found that 14% of landlords were unwilling to rent to UK nationals who did not possess a passport. Additionally, 24% expressed reluctance to rent to non-UK passport holders from outside the EU, and 14% were unwilling to rent to non-UK passport holders from the EU. (Source: Gov.uk)
Tenant Rights During the Process
If a tenant feels mistreated or unfairly rejected during the Right to Rent checks, they can:
- Contact Housing Disrepair Experts for a free legal consultation
- Report unlawful treatment to the landlord helpline UK or authorities
Summary & Final Tips
The Right to Rent Share Code is essential for both landlords and tenants. It simplifies how immigration status is checked and helps ensure housing law UK is followed. Tenants must be ready with their documents, and landlords must carry out proper checks using GOV.UK Right to Rent services.
Neglecting this can lead to non-compliance penalties and legal risks. But following the Right to Rent documentation guide keeps everyone protected. This isn’t just paperwork—it’s a legal safeguard.
Get Expert Legal Help with Right to Rent Issues
At Housing Disrepair Experts, we’re not just legal advisors—we’re specialists in tenant rights and Right to Rent Share Code matters. With over 40 years of combined legal experience, our SRA-regulated team offers clear guidance, fast support, and a proven track record in housing law UK.
We handle everything from tenant verification process to disputes over rental agreement compliance, all with a no-win, no-fee promise.
“Outstanding service! They were quick to respond and handled my case with the utmost professionalism. I was living in terrible conditions, but they fought for me and won my compensation claim. Couldn’t recommend them enough.”
– Alice O’Connell
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Additional Government Resources
- GOV.UK – Prove Right to Rent
- GOV.UK – Right to Rent Code of Practice
- Home Office Landlord Checking Service
