Guide
Right to Rent as an International Student in the UK
Last updated: September 2026
Before you can sign a tenancy in England, your landlord is legally required to check your Right to Rent. For most international students this now means generating a temporary share code from your UKVI account rather than handing over a physical document — not a special hurdle, just the standard process.
Why landlords ask for this
It's a legal requirement on the landlord, not a judgment about you specifically — every adult tenant in England gets checked, UK nationals included (usually via passport). As an international student on a Student Route visa, you go through the same check using your immigration status instead of a passport showing UK citizenship.
What to actually give your landlord
If your immigration status is recorded digitally as an eVisa, generate a share code from your UKVI account and give that to your landlord or letting agent — see the eVisa & UKVI account guide for exactly how to create one. The landlord enters your code along with your date of birth on the official government checking service to confirm your status directly — you don't need to print or hand over any physical document for this.
Generate a fresh code each time
Share codes are time-limited, not a permanent credential — generate a new one specifically for each landlord or letting agent who asks, rather than reusing one from an earlier application or a previous tenancy.
Where this applies
Right to Rent as commonly described applies in England; the rules can differ elsewhere in the UK. If you're renting in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, check the current official guidance for that nation rather than assuming the same process.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Right to Rent check?
UK landlords are legally required to check that every adult tenant has the right to rent property in England before signing a tenancy agreement. This applies to international students on a Student Route visa the same as anyone else — it's a standard part of renting, not something specific to your situation.
What do I actually give the landlord?
If your status is digital (an eVisa rather than a physical document), you generate a share code from your UKVI account and give that to the landlord — see the eVisa & UKVI account guide for exactly how to create one. The landlord enters it on the official government checking service along with your date of birth to verify your status directly.
Does Right to Rent apply across the whole UK?
The Right to Rent scheme as commonly described applies in England. Rules can differ in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — confirm the current requirement for your specific location on the official gov.uk guidance before assuming the same process applies everywhere.
How long is a share code valid for?
Share codes are time-limited rather than permanent, so generate a fresh one specifically for each landlord or letting agent who needs to check your status — don't reuse an old code from a previous rental application.
What if my landlord asks for a physical document instead?
If your status is only recorded digitally (no physical BRP card), a share code is the standard way to prove it — point your landlord to the official government checking service if they're unfamiliar with digital checks, rather than trying to produce a physical document that may no longer exist for your case.
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