Student right to rent – Do you need a right to rent check at uni?

For many young people, the second and third weeks of September sees the start of a great adventure at university. There’s a lot to take in and so much to do – but is a student right to rent check one of those things? 

If this is the first time you’ve ever heard of a student right to rent, our quick read will give you everything that you need to know – whether you’re a student or a landlord. 

When someone starts university for the first time, it is highly likely that they are becoming both a student and a tenant in their own right for the first time. This means that with the freedom and independence you have at your fingertips, you’ll also discover that there are a lot of new and unknown responsibilities to take care of too. 

Do you need a student right to rent for university halls? 

No, if you are moving into university halls of residence you will not need to undertake a student right to rent check. This applies to halls that are both owned and managed by the university or owned and managed on behalf of the university.  

If you are returning to university after your first year and you are over 18 and moving into privately rented property, you will need to undertake a student right to rent check before signing your tenancy agreement. 

What is a right to rent check? 

A Right to Rent check will verify that an individual has the legal right to rent a property in England. The checks were brought in 2016 as part of the UK government’s drive to prevent illegal immigration.  A student right to rent check is simply a right to rent check undertaken by a private landlord or letting again on a student’s behalf.

Who is responsible for a right to rent check? 

The short answer is that a landlord or the letting agent acting on their behalf is responsible for running a right to rent check on all tenants planning to live in their rental properties. 

If a landlord, or the letting agent that the landlord has legally requested to run the right to rent check in writing, does not run a right to rent check on all eligible tenants, they could be liable for a £3,000 penalty fine. The tenants will not be fined, however it may be difficult to remain in their property without a valid right to rent check. This fine applies to any right to rent check that has not been undertaken, not just student right to rent.

 If your landlord or letting agent does not request a right to rent check, then potential renters should ask them to do so. 

What does a tenant need for a right to rent check? 

As a landlord or letting agent, when you are ready to check a tenant’s right to rent, you will need to ask your potential tenant to supply you with evidence of their right to rent.

As a tenant, you will need to provide evidence that you do have the legal right to rent in the UK. 

How is a right to rent check carried out?

Increasingly, right to rent checks can be carried out digitally. At MyVetting, landlords can check tenants’ right to rent online, with our quick, affordable Right to Rent checks. Landlords can check a right to rent up to 28 days before the tenancy agreement begins. 

What documents are needed for a right to rent check UK? 

For students that are British or Irish citizens, supplying evidence of a valid immigration status should be straightforward.  

The easiest way to verify a student’s right to rent is through their British or Irish passport.  

For British and Irish citizens that do not have a British or Irish passport, right to rent can be verified using two of the following listed documents: 

• A UK birth certificate  
• A UK driving licence 
• A DBS certificate, issued less that 3 months ago
• A headed or branded letter from your university or college, less than 3 months old, that confirms you’ve accepted your place 
• A letter from a current employer, less that 3 months old, that confirms your name, employment status and confirming your name, status as an employee, and National Insurance number 

 For students that are not British or Irish citizens, right to rent can be verified using one of the following documents: 

• A British citizen certificate of registration or naturalisation 
• A Home Office-issued immigration status document with a photograph that declares your right to stay indefinitely in the UK 
• An endorsed passport or travel document that verifies UK right of abode, permission for indefinite stay in the UK or an immigration control exemption 
• A DBS certificate, issued no more than 3 months ago 

 International students may need a share code. Check out our ‘I need a share code’ blog for more information. 

 ‘Can I get a student right to rent?’ 

 For many students, getting a right to rent check is straightforward. You will have the right to rent in the UK if you: 

• You’re a British or Irish citizen
• Have permission to be in the UK on a student or work visa
• You have protected refugee or humanitarian status
• You have had a time-limited right to rent granted by the UK government
• You have indefinite leave to remain
• You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme 

 Is there anything that might stop a right to rent check? 

If the tenant does not have the correct evidence or it is no longer valid, it is likely that they will not pass a right to rent. 

However, there are no other reasons why a tenant may fail a right to rent check. This is because landlords are legally prevented from discriminating against potential tenants on the grounds of: 

•  Nationality 
• Race
• Colour
• Ethnicity
• Gender 
• Length of UK residenc
• Language spoken  

 Making sure that your tenants have completed a Right to Rent check is quick and easy – and so affordable – with MyVetting.com. Simply Buy Now.