Conducting a right to rent check using the Home Office online service (share code)

Follow the steps below in order to conduct a right to rent check using a renter's share code.

Please note: The following information is provided by the government in relation to guidance on Right to Rent checks. You can also find the most recent guidance here. The share code will be valid for 90 days from the point it has been issued and can be used as many times as needed within that time. 

Step 1:

The tenant may provide the share code with you directly, or they may choose to send it to you via the service. If they choose to send it to you via the service, you will receive an email from right.to.rent.service@notifications.service.gov.uk.

To check the tenant’s right to rent details, you will need to:

• access the service ‘View a tenant's right to rent in England’
• enter the ‘share code’ provided to you by the renter
• enter their date of birth

It is not sufficient to simply view the details provided to the individual on the migrant part of the service and doing so will not provide you with a statutory excuse.

Here is an example of the email you will receive when a renter has sent their share code to you via the online service.

Step 2:

You must check that the photograph from their profile page is of them, basically, you need to make sure the renter is not using someone else's identity or share code.

If you enter into a tenancy agreement with someone on the basis of the online check, but it is reasonably apparent that the person in the photograph on the online service is not the prospective tenant, you may be liable for a penalty if they do not have the right to rent.

The online service will confirm that no further check is required for someone who has a continuous right to rent. For someone with a time-limited right to rent the service will advise when a further check is required.

Step 3:

You must retain evidence of the online check; this should be the profile page confirming the person’s right to rent (see example below).

You will have the option of printing the profile page (the response provided by the Home Office online service) or saving it as a PDF or HTML file.

You must store this securely (electronically or in hardcopy) for the duration of the tenancy agreement and for one year after the tenancy has come to an end. The file must then be securely destroyed in line with GDPR.

Should a disqualified person be identified, you will need to be able to evidence that you have conducted a right to rent check in order to have a statutory excuse and liability for a penalty. By retaining evidence of the check as above, you will be able to present this to a Home Office official in the event you are found to have rented to someone that is a disqualified person