Residential Tenancy Referencing Documents
Why Should Landlords Reference Tenants?
As a landlord preparing for a residential letting, tenant referencing is one of the most important steps before signing a tenancy agreement. A thorough tenant reference check gives you reassurance that the tenant is reliable, financially stable, and likely to respect the terms of the tenancy.
Looking ahead, with the introduction of the Renters Rights Bill , tenant referencing will become even more important for landlords.
What Do Our Tenant Referencing Templates Include?
These Residential Tenancy Referencing Templates are designed to help landlords in England obtain reliable references quickly and professionally. The collection includes: a Request for Reference from Previous Residential Landlord which asks the former landlord to comment on the proposed tenant's conduct during their tenancy. A Request for Employer Reference for New Tenant can be sent to the tenant employer to confirm the proposed tenants job role and salary. In some cases a landlord may also need a Letter Requesting Personal Reference for a Guarantor.
Tenant Referencing Fees under the Tenant Fees Act 2019
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlord and lettings agents are prohibited from charging a tenant the cost of referencing. The responsibility or covering the cost of referencing sits with the landlord. For more information, please see Guidance Note: Tenant Fees Act 2019 (England).
You can explore the full range of ready to use tenant referencing templates in the list below:
- Reference Request Letter from Previous Residential Landlord
- Residential Tenant Reference from Previous Landlord
- Letter Requesting Reference from Residential Tenant’s Bank
- Letter Requesting Reference from Guarantor’s Bank
- Letter Requesting Reference from Residential Tenant’s Employer
- Residential Tenant Reference from Employer
- Letter Requesting Personal Reference for Residential Tenant
- Residential Tenant Reference Letter from Personal Referee
- Letter Requesting Personal Reference for a Guarantor
- Guarantor Reference Letter from Personal Referee
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Frequently Asked Questions
A thorough referencing process helps landlords assess whether a prospective tenant is suitable for the property. Any referencing should be fair, consistent and handled in accordance with data protection requirements. Landlords should consider obtaining relevant references concerning income, employment, or third parties such as previous landlords. When affordability or reliability is uncertain, landlords should consider a guarantor.
No. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 prohibits you from charging tenants for referencing, credit checks or other administration costs connected with granting a tenancy. Charging a prohibited fee may result in a financial penalty of up to £5,000 for an initial breach. Referencing should be treated as part of the normal cost of letting a property.
Landlords should only request information that is relevant to assessing a prospective tenant's suitability. A previous landlord may be asked about rent payments and compliance with the tenancy agreement. An employer may be asked to confirm the tenant's employment status, position and income where appropriate. Before obtaining references, landlords should ensure they have the prospective tenant's authority and handle all personal information in accordance with data protection legislation.
A guarantor is not compulsory but can provide additional security where a prospective tenant has limited income, an insufficient credit history or affordability concerns. Before accepting a guarantor, landlords should carry out appropriate referencing, including identity, affordability and, where appropriate, credit checks to ensure the guarantor is capable of meeting the tenancy obligations. Any guarantee should be properly drafted and executed so that the guarantor’s obligations and the extent of the liability are clearly set out.
Tenant referencing and right to rent checks are separate requirements but are necessary in the pre tenancy process. Referencing helps landlords assess a prospective tenant's suitability, including affordability and tenancy history, whereas a right to rent check is a legal requirement to confirm that all adult occupiers have the right to rent residential property in England. A failure to undertake a check can result in substantial financial penalties.