UK Right to Rent Guide for Nepali Students explains how a Nepali student proves immigration permission to a private landlord in England, when to generate an eVisa share code, which purpose to select and why the landlord must check every adult without nationality discrimination. Right to Rent is an England-only rental check; it is not a deposit, guarantor or credit assessment.
Information checked on 24 July 2026. Home Office codes of practice and rental law are changing during 2026, so use the live GOV.UK tenant and landlord services.
Right to Rent facts at a glance
| Item | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Right to Rent immigration checks apply in England |
| Main digital evidence | Purpose-specific share code from a UKVI account |
| Share-code validity | 90 days and reusable during that period |
| Landlord check | Official GOV.UK service with code and date of birth |
| Limited permission | Check is normally completed in the 28 days before tenancy |
| Adults checked | All tenants aged 18 or over where the scheme applies |
| Alternative | Eligible original immigration documents or Home Office check |
What is Right to Rent?
Right to Rent is the Home Office process used by landlords and agents to check whether an adult can lawfully occupy private rented residential accommodation in England.
It does not approve the property, set rent or guarantee a tenancy. The landlord can still carry out lawful affordability, reference and guarantor checks.
The scheme applies in England only
GOV.UK states that tenants do not prove Right to Rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Those nations have their own rental rules without this England immigration check.
Do not send a right-to-rent share code to a landlord in another UK nation unless a separate valid reason is explained.
Who must be checked?
Where the scheme applies, a landlord must check all adult tenants aged 18 or over, including adults not named on a written agreement. The duty is not limited to international students.
GOV.UK says landlords must not discriminate by checking only people they believe are foreign. The process should be consistent for all prospective adult occupiers.
Student accommodation can be excluded
The landlord guidance lists student accommodation among categories that can be outside the standard check requirement. The exact exclusion depends on the accommodation arrangement and code of practice.
Private flats and houses rented directly in England normally remain within the scheme. Ask the provider whether the accommodation falls under the student category rather than assuming from its advertising.
Use the eVisa share-code route
A Nepali student with a UKVI account can normally generate a share code to prove Right to Rent. The service uses the passport or other identity details linked to the account.
Check the eVisa name, photograph, passport and permission dates before sharing. Update the UKVI account when a passport changes.
Select the right purpose
Share codes are purpose-specific. Choose the option for proving Right to Rent to a landlord or letting agent.
A code created for an employer or another organisation cannot be substituted. Generate a fresh code with the correct purpose instead of sharing the UKVI password.
Share codes last 90 days
GOV.UK says a share code lasts 90 days, can be used more than once during that period and can be replaced with a new code whenever needed.
The landlord also needs the tenant’s date of birth. The tenant does not need to expose the whole UKVI account.
The landlord uses the official checker
The landlord enters the share code and date of birth into the Home Office service to view the person’s rental status and any time limit. A screenshot sent by the student is not the official check.
Ask the agent to use GOV.UK, not a lookalike verification site. Keep the tenancy application and correspondence.
Time-limited permission
For a person with limited immigration permission, landlord guidance says the check is normally carried out in the 28 days before the tenancy starts. A follow-up can be required later.
The student should provide updated evidence when requested lawfully. A Student visa end date does not automatically prohibit a tenancy whose terms and follow-up process comply with the rules.
Original immigration documents
GOV.UK says a non-British or non-Irish tenant can choose an eligible share code or original immigration documents. A landlord cannot reject the application merely because an eligible document route was used instead of a share code.
Use current originals from the accepted list and allow the landlord to complete the prescribed check. Do not surrender a passport for unnecessary long-term retention.
Home Office landlord checking service
Where an eligible tenant cannot produce the standard evidence, the landlord can request a Home Office check in relevant circumstances. GOV.UK directs landlords to that service.
Explain any pending application or technical eVisa issue truthfully. Do not create a fake share code or altered decision letter.
Right to Rent is not Right to Work
A rental share code cannot be used by an employer. Work permission has a separate Home Office service and can show different conditions.
Use the National Insurance number guide for employment onboarding and the correct work share code.
Right to Rent is not Right to Study
The check does not prove university enrolment or academic eligibility. A landlord can separately request student status for a student-only property, guarantor policy or Council Tax arrangement.
Provide the minimum relevant evidence for each purpose. Do not give the university portal password to an agent.
Offer stage and visa timing
Students arranging accommodation before visa grant may not yet have the final eVisa evidence. Ask the landlord about reservation, holding deposit and the deadline for the actual check.
Never claim immigration permission before it exists. A failed Right to Rent check can affect a holding deposit under the applicable rules.
Holding deposits and honest information
Current England tenant-fee guidance allows a holding deposit of up to one week’s rent and lists situations where it can be retained, including false information or a failed Right to Rent check.
Read the written holding terms before paying. Give accurate names, status and expected visa dates.
Guarantors and advance rent are separate
Passing Right to Rent does not require the landlord to waive affordability checks. International students can still be asked for a guarantor or lawful rent arrangements.
The rules for advance rent changed from 1 May 2026. Follow current GOV.UK guidance and do not send unrecorded cash to bypass the tenancy process.
Check the landlord or agent
Verify the agent’s company, office, property authority and payment account before sharing immigration evidence. Search the address and speak through an official channel.
A genuine Right to Rent check never requires the tenant’s bank PIN, UKVI password or one-time code.
Protect passport and eVisa data
Share only through the legitimate tenant or landlord process. The share-code system limits the information displayed for the chosen purpose.
Watermark informal copies where appropriate without obscuring required details, and store tenancy documents securely.
If the eVisa details are wrong
Correct the UKVI account through the official service before generating evidence where possible. Tell the landlord about a genuine technical issue and use the permitted alternative process.
Do not edit the eVisa screen or passport. False evidence can damage both the tenancy and immigration position.
If the landlord discriminates
Landlords must not target checks based on nationality or reject a valid evidence route simply because it is unfamiliar. The Home Office publishes a code on avoiding unlawful discrimination.
Keep the advert, messages and reason given. Seek qualified housing advice where treatment appears discriminatory.
Renewals and follow-up checks
A landlord can need a follow-up when permission is time limited. Provide a new code or accepted evidence by the lawful deadline.
A pending extension or route application can require a Home Office check. Tell the landlord early and retain submission evidence.
Right to Rent scam warnings
- A request for the UKVI account password
- A fee to generate a share code
- A fake landlord checker outside GOV.UK
- A demand for bank login or one-time codes
- A personal account used for every rental payment
- An agent asking for altered immigration dates
- A property that cannot be viewed or independently verified
Step-by-step Right to Rent checklist
- Confirm the jurisdiction. The scheme applies to relevant rentals in England.
- Verify the property and agent. Check authority before sharing documents.
- Review the eVisa. Match identity and permission dates.
- Choose the rent purpose. Generate the correct share code.
- Share code and date of birth. Never share the UKVI password.
- Let the landlord check GOV.UK. A screenshot alone is not enough.
- Answer honestly. Explain pending applications or timing.
- Keep tenancy records. Save holding terms and communications.
- Prepare follow-up evidence. Update the landlord when permission changes.
Common Right to Rent mistakes
- Assuming the scheme covers every UK nation
- Using a work share code for a landlord
- Sending only an eVisa screenshot
- Sharing the UKVI password
- Claiming a visa before it is granted
- Paying a holding deposit without written terms
- Confusing the check with affordability approval
- Ignoring a follow-up request after a visa extension
- Sending documents to an unverified property agent
Frequently asked questions
Do Nepali students need Right to Rent checks across the UK?
No. The immigration Right to Rent scheme applies in England. GOV.UK says it is not required in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
How do I prove Right to Rent with an eVisa?
Generate a purpose-specific share code from the UKVI service and give the landlord the code and your date of birth.
How long does a Right to Rent share code last?
It lasts 90 days and can be reused during that period. You can generate another code whenever needed.
Can a landlord demand a share code instead of valid documents?
GOV.UK says eligible non-British or non-Irish tenants can use a share code or original immigration documents. The landlord cannot reject an eligible document route simply for not using a code.
Is Right to Rent the same as Right to Work?
No. They use separate purpose-specific Home Office checks. A rent share code cannot prove employment permission.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: prove Right to Rent in England
- GOV.UK: get a Right to Rent share code
- GOV.UK: who landlords must check
- Home Office: Right to Rent codes of practice
- GOV.UK: eVisa and share codes
- GOV.UK: current tenant fees guidance
Rental document guidance in Nepal
For a visible review of accommodation legitimacy, holding terms, eVisa readiness, tenancy dates and payment safety, use MKS Education study in the UK guidance. Students preparing for IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT or SAT can compare courses at MKS Prep. The Home Office, landlord and local housing authority remain the final authorities.