Right to Rent: refugees and asylum seekers

Refugees and people with protection

People granted refugee status or humanitarian protection have permission to stay, usually shown as an eVisa. Check them online with a share code in the same way as anyone else. Check whether the result shows a time limit and, if so, diarise the follow-up.

Asylum seekers

Asylum seekers, and people with a pending asylum appeal, can’t usually prove a right to rent the normal way. The Landlords’ guide says to use the Landlord Checking Service. An Application Registration Card on its own isn’t enough.

1. Get the person’s Home Office reference number.
2. Submit the online LCS form.
3. The Home Office normally replies within two working days.
4. A Positive Right to Rent Notice lasts 12 months from the date on the notice.

Some asylum seekers may be granted Permission to Rent by the Home Office. This is also confirmed through the Landlord Checking Service.

Treat everyone the same

The Home Office’s anti-discrimination code is clear: apply the same process to all prospective tenants. Don’t refuse to consider someone because their status is pending or time-limited, or because the check takes longer. Discrimination can breach the Equality Act 2010.

Keep a record

Keep the LCS request and response for the tenancy plus at least one year. The process log records the LCS route and works out the follow-up date from the notice.