Right to Rent: follow-up checks during a tenancy

A single Right to Rent check is not always enough. Tenants with time-limited permission to stay require a follow-up check before their status expires.

5 min read · Updated 2 August 2026

Overview

A single Right to Rent check is not always enough. Tenants with time-limited permission to stay require a follow-up check before their status expires.

Time-limited status

Where a tenant's right to rent is time-limited, diarise a follow-up check before the expiry date shown on their documents.

What the follow-up involves

Repeat the document check or use the Home Office online service, and keep a dated copy of the outcome.

If status has lapsed

Report to the Home Office as required and take specialist advice before considering any action to end the tenancy.

Record keeping

Keep every check, including follow-ups, for the duration of the tenancy and for a set period after it ends.

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This guide is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.