Find the Best Rental Property in London | Expert Tips

Once your offer is accepted and the holding deposit is paid, the referencing process begins. This is a crucial step where the landlord or letting agent confirms that you’re financially able to rent the property and likely to be a reliable tenant.

Here’s what to expect—and how to prepare:

What Is Tenant Referencing?

Tenant referencing is a background check that typically includes 4 basic checks:

• Proof of income or employment (usually 2–3 months of payslips or a contract, you may use Open Banking and Trusted Sources to verify your income), your verified UK based annual income must be at least 2.5 x your share of rent x 12
  For example, if your share of rent is £1000/month:
  £1000 × 12 = £12,000 → £12,000 × 2.5 = £30,000
  So you need to earn at least £30,000/year (before tax).

• Credit check (to assess your financial reliability)

• Previous landlord reference (optional but common)

• Right to Rent check (you’ll need to show a valid passport, visa, or residency status using Right To Rent Share Code)
  https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent/get-a-share-code-online

If you’re self-employed, you may be asked for:

• 6–12 months of bank statements

• A letter from your accountant

• Your most recent tax returns (usually last 2 years)

Will You Need a Guarantor?

You may need a guarantor if:

• You’re a student

• You have limited or irregular income

• You fail part of the referencing process

A guarantor (a UK-based family member or friend) will be required to pass their own referencing checks and agree to cover your rent if you’re unable to pay.
To qualify, your guarantor must usually have an annual income of at least 3× your share of the monthly rent × 12.
For example, if your share of rent is £1000/month:
£1000 × 12 = £12,000 → £12,000 × 3 = £36,000
So your guarantor needs to earn at least £36,000/year (before tax).

If a suitable guarantor is not available, some landlords may request 6–12 months’ rent in advance as an alternative.

Be Transparent

If you think something might flag up in your reference checks—such as a low credit score or employment gap—let the agent know in advance. In many cases, landlords will still proceed if you’re honest and have a strong guarantor or can pay rent in advance.

Documents You Should Prepare

Make sure you have these documents ready before the referencing process starts:

• Valid photo ID (passport, driving licence)

• Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or bank statement)

• Proof of income (payslips, employment contract, or self-employment records)

• Right to Rent documentation (for non-UK citizens)

Important: All documents must be genuine and up to date. Submitting false information can void your tenancy application and result in loss of your holding deposit.