Tenant Referencing Criteria

What to Expect

All tenants aged 18 or over must undergo referencing before moving into a rental property. This process ensures that you meet the financial and legal requirements for renting. Here’s what you can expect:

Checklist: What to Have Ready for Referencing

To speed up the referencing process, make sure you have the following documents prepared:

Photo ID
Passport or driving licence
Proof of Address
Recent utility bill or bank statement (dated within the last 3 months)
Proof of Earnings
Recent payslips, employment contract, or tax returns if self-employed
Landlord Reference (if applicable)
Contact details or written confirmation from your previous landlord
Guarantor Details (if required)
Name, contact details, and proof of income/homeownership

What Happens During Referencing?

Credit & Financial Checks

A credit check will be carried out to ensure there is no adverse credit, such as County Court Judgements (CCJs).
An affordability check will confirm your income is sufficient to cover the monthly rent.

Employment & Income Verification

Your employer will be contacted to confirm your start date, salary, and job status.

If you are self-employed, you may need to provide an accountant’s reference or tax returns.

Landlord Reference (If Applicable)

If you are currently renting, your landlord will be asked to confirm that you have paid rent on time and looked after the property. 

Right to Rent Checks

Under UK law, all tenants must provide valid ID and proof of residency to confirm their legal right to rent in the UK.

What If I Don’t Meet the Criteria?

If you do not pass one or more of the referencing checks, you may still be able to rent by providing a homeowner guarantor who will take responsibility for the rent if you are unable to pay.

Referencing Criteria FAQs

Below are some common questions about the referencing process to help you understand what to expect.

Referencing typically takes 3-5 working days, depending on how quickly references are returned by employers, landlords, and credit agencies.

Valid photo ID (for example, passport or driving licence)
Proof of address (for example, recent utility bill)
Proof of earnings (for example, payslips or tax returns if self-employed)
Landlord reference (if applicable)

If you do not meet the criteria, we may ask you to provide a homeowner guarantor or discuss alternative options such as paying rent in advance.

Guarantor FAQs

Below are common questions about guarantors, their role, and when you might need one.

A guarantor is someone who agrees to take financial responsibility for the rent if the tenant is unable to pay. They provide additional security for landlords.

A guarantor must usually:

Be a UK homeowner
Have a stable income (typically earning at least 36 times the monthly rent)
Pass a credit and affordability check

You may need a guarantor if:

Your income doesn’t meet the affordability criteria
You have adverse credit history (e.g., CCJs)
You are self-employed with less than two years of accounts

You are a student or unemployed

A guarantor signs a legal agreement confirming they will cover any unpaid rent or damages if the tenant fails to meet their obligations. This means they are financially responsible for the tenancy agreement.

A Guarantor signs an Unlimited Deed of Guarantee which shall not be revoked for so long as the Tenant remains a tenant of the Property. A Guarantor can request to be removed from the agreement with approval from the Landlord.