The right to rent accommodation
When you move to another country, you need to think about and resolve the issue of housing. In the UK, there are specific rules and requirements for people who want to rent a home. When renting a home, a citizen must prove to the landlord his or her right to rent. However, you do not need to prove your right to rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
How you prove your right to rent depends on your citizenship and immigration status. For example, citizens of the UK and Ireland have their own nuances and rules that require attention. For residents of other countries, the procedure for obtaining a permit is different.
The right to rent for foreign nationals
If you are not a British or Irish citizen but want to rent a property in England, there are two main ways to prove your right to rent:
- share code. You can apply for an online code provided by the UK government. This code is proof of the right to work and rent for foreign nationals. To obtain it, you will need certain documentation and information about your status.
- you can get the code using documents such as your passport, a document issued by the Home Office, or a document on your migration status.
If you are unable to provide a code or migration documents, you can use other documents to prove your right to rent a house. These may include a letter from an employer/local council/educational institution where the person is studying, a valid UK driving licence, etc.
A landlord cannot reject an application because one of these migration documents was provided instead of a code.
How do I get a share code?
A share code can be obtained by having a biometric card or residence permit, as well as a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) account.
A UKVI account is created for people who:
- joined the European Union settlement scheme (a special immigration regime of the United Kingdom);
- used the application "UK Immigration: ID Check" application to verify their identity when applying for a visa;
- created an account when applying for a visa.
To obtain the code, you will need one of the following documents:
- biometric residence permit;
- biometric residence card;
- passport or other national identity document.
If you cannot prove your right to rent
In such cases, the landlord may request the Ministry of the Interior to verify the person's right to rent. This check will determine whether the person has a legal right to rent in England. This step provides additional protection for the landlord and ensures that all legal requirements are met during the rental process.
Renting a home in the UK is a process that requires careful adherence to the rules and requirements, especially for foreign nationals. On our marketplace "Consultant" you can choose an experienced lawyer who will advise you, help you collect documents and provide full support in the preparation of documents for renting a property.
