United Kingdom · property

How Do Landlords Check eVisa Right to Rent in the United Kingdom?

With the UK government fully transitioning to digital eVisas and phasing out physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), proving your right to rent has changed. Landlords in England must now use the official online share code system to avoid massive civil penalties of up to £20,000. This guide explains exactly how the check works, what you need to provide, and how to protect yourself against unlawful discrimination or bureaucratic delays.

What the law says in the United Kingdom

Under Section 22 of the Immigration Act 2014, landlords in England are legally prohibited from letting private residential accommodation to adults who do not have the right to rent in the United Kingdom. To protect themselves from severe financial liability, landlords must perform prescribed immigration checks before a tenancy begins. Following the complete phase-out of physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), the Home Office has transitioned to a fully digital immigration system using eVisas. This shift is governed by the statutory Right to Rent Code of Practice, which holds landlords strictly accountable for verifying digital statuses.

To establish what the law calls a 'statutory excuse'—which shields them from civil penalties that have skyrocketed to £10,000 for a first breach and £20,000 for repeat offenses per occupier—landlords cannot simply look at a copy of your visa. For eVisa holders, they must conduct an online check. Landlords are also bound by strict anti-discrimination codes; they must apply the same verification standards consistently to all prospective tenants regardless of nationality, and refusing to accept an eVisa can constitute unlawful discrimination.

How the online share code system works

The entire check relies on a secure digital 'handshake' using a share code. As a prospective tenant, you must log into your secure UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account on the official GOV.UK portal and generate a unique nine-character share code specifically for renting. This code, which typically begins with the letter 'R', is valid for 90 days. Once you give this code and your date of birth to your landlord or letting agent, they must log into the separate portal designed for housing providers: 'Check a tenant's right to rent in England: use their share code' on GOV.UK.

Simply receiving the share code is not legally sufficient for the landlord. The landlord must access the profile page, which displays your real-time immigration status and a digital photograph. By law, the landlord must verify that the photograph genuinely matches you. This verification can be done either face-to-face or via a live video call. Finally, the landlord must download, date, and securely store a digital or printed copy of the Home Office response page. This record must be kept for the entire duration of your tenancy and for at least one year after it ends.

Overcoming bureaucratic delays and knowing your rights

The rapid transition to eVisas has created immense stress for renters when the Home Office database glitches or when landlords remain unaware of the updated rules. If you have an outstanding visa application, administrative review, or appeal and cannot generate a share code, your landlord is not allowed to simply reject your application. Instead, they must contact the Home Office Landlord Checking Service (LCS) using an online form. The LCS will verify your status and issue a Positive Right to Rent Notice (PRRN) within two working days. This notice grants the landlord a time-limited statutory excuse for 12 months, allowing you to move in legally.

You do not have to navigate this stressful, high-stakes system alone. If a landlord is unlawfully demanding outdated physical cards, delaying your move-in, or threatening to cancel your agreement over eVisa confusion, you can take control. You can use Caunsel to research these complex immigration rules, store and organize your verification documents securely in a structured digital case, or connect directly with an independent property lawyer to enforce your rights and ensure your tenancy proceeds without unfair interruption.

Steps

• Log into your UKVI account on the official GOV.UK portal and generate a 9-character right to rent share code.
• Provide your landlord or letting agent with the share code and your date of birth.
• Ensure the landlord logs into the official GOV.UK 'Check a tenant's right to rent in England' page to view your profile.
• Arrange a face-to-face meeting or a live video call so the landlord can verify that your face matches the digital profile photo.
• Confirm that the landlord has saved and dated a digital or printed copy of the online check page to establish their statutory excuse.

Common mistakes

• Trying to present an expired or current physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which landlords can no longer legally accept.
• Accepting a landlord's refusal to rent to you simply because you have an eVisa rather than a physical document; this may constitute unlawful discrimination.
• Assuming a copy of the share code is enough without the landlord actually executing the online check and verifying your photo.
• Failing to utilize the Home Office Landlord Checking Service (LCS) if you have an outstanding visa application or appeal.

Questions people ask

Can a landlord accept a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) instead of an eVisa?

No. Following the complete decommissioning of biometric cards, landlords in England can no longer accept physical BRPs or BRCs. They must use the online share code system to check your digital eVisa status, or they face severe civil penalties under the Immigration Act 2014.

What if my eVisa status is incorrect or I cannot generate a share code?

If you have an outstanding application or appeal, or if your UKVI account is inaccessible, your landlord must contact the Home Office Landlord Checking Service (LCS). The LCS will issue a Positive Right to Rent Notice (PRRN) within two working days if you have the right to rent, establishing a 12-month statutory excuse for the landlord.

How long does a right to rent share code remain valid?

A right to rent share code is valid for 90 days from the date it is generated. If the check is not completed within this timeframe, you will need to log back into your UKVI account and generate a new code for your landlord.

General information only, last updated 2026-10-04. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Kingdom.