Quick answers, without the waffle
This FAQ is about using the Process Log correctly and understanding the main routes at a high level. For official wording and the authoritative sources, use Sources & Guidance.
Basics
A few essentials so you know what this site is and what it isn’t.
What is Right to Rent Process Log?
It’s a browser-only documentation tool for landlords in England. It helps you:
- record which Right to Rent route you followed (online, manual, or LCS)
- calculate follow-up dates from the dates you relied on
- generate a printable audit note for your records
It is not an immigration checker and it doesn’t make “pass/fail” decisions. Start here: Start Process Log.
Is this site “official” or Home Office approved?
No. This is an independent record-keeping utility. The authoritative sources are the official GOV.UK and Home Office services. We link them clearly on Sources & Guidance.
Does this apply outside England?
This site is built for England only. If your property is in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, different rules apply. (That’s why we keep the scope very explicit across the site.)
Where do I check the official rules?
Use Sources & Guidance. It’s a curated list of the core GOV.UK pages, the official LCS portal, and legislation links so you can verify wording and routes.
Check routes
These are the common “which route do I use?” questions. Answers stay high level, and we link you to the official sources.
When do I use the share code route?
Use the share code route when the tenant provides a share code and you can complete the check through the official online service. This tool can record that you used the online route and help you log dates for follow-ups.
Official pages are linked on Sources & Guidance.
When do I use the manual document route?
Use the manual route when the correct official guidance says a document check is the route available for that person. The key is recording what you saw, when you checked it, and what follow-up date (if any) applies.
For official route rules, use Sources & Guidance.
When do I need the Landlord Checking Service (LCS)?
Use LCS when you can’t complete a standard route and the official guidance says you must request a Home Office check (commonly because a person has a pending Home Office matter and cannot evidence their status through the normal routes).
Read: LCS Help, then use the official links on Sources & Guidance.
The tenant says “it’s pending”. What should I do?
Don’t guess. If the standard routes can’t be completed, check whether LCS applies and follow the official process. This site can help you record that you requested LCS and keep your notes tidy.
Start the paperwork: Start Process Log • Guidance: LCS Help
Follow-up dates
This is where landlords get caught out. The goal here is clarity: what date are you relying on, and when do you need to check again?
What is a follow-up check?
A follow-up check is a repeat Right to Rent check required for some time-limited situations. The official guidance sets out when it applies. This tool helps you record what date you relied on and calculate a follow-up date from that.
What is the “later of” rule?
In plain terms: if the guidance gives you two candidate dates (for example a permission end date and another required minimum period), you take the one that occurs later. This prevents early, unnecessary re-checks and keeps the timing aligned with the official rule.
We explain this on the homepage “engine room” section and link the official sources on Sources & Guidance.
Does the tool guarantee the follow-up date is correct?
No. It calculates dates from the inputs you provide and shows the logic clearly, but you are responsible for checking the official guidance and confirming your records are correct for the route you used.
See: Terms & Disclaimer
Can you remind me when a follow-up is due?
Not on this site. We deliberately avoid accounts, reminders, alerts, and stored histories. That keeps the tool legally cleaner and reduces data risk. You can add your own reminder in your calendar if needed.
Evidence and records
The point of this tool is a tidy audit trail. Keep it simple: what route did you use, what did you rely on, and what did you record?
What should I keep as evidence?
Keep evidence that matches the route you used. Examples include share-code result pages, copies of relevant document checks (as required by the guidance), or LCS request/response confirmations.
We link the official “what to keep” guidance on Sources & Guidance.
Does this site store my audit notes?
No. The site is designed to run locally in your browser. The printable audit note is generated for you to keep in your own records. Read Privacy & Data for the full explanation.
Should I upload tenant documents here?
No. Please don’t upload or email identity documents to this site. It’s built to avoid uploads entirely. Keep documents in your own secure tenancy records in line with your process and the official guidance.
Privacy and boundaries
This is what makes the site stable long-term: clear scope, no accounts, no uploads, no “we decide”.
Privacy: The tool is designed to run locally and avoid collecting tenant identity documents.
For the full policy, read Privacy & Data.
Responsibility: This site supports record-keeping. It does not replace official services or professional advice.
See Terms & Disclaimer.
Official sources: If you want to verify routes or wording, use Sources & Guidance. That page is the “engine room” with links to GOV.UK and Home Office services.
Last reviewed: [add date] • Jurisdiction: England only