An insight to Tenant Referencing applications for First Time Tenants | Guide for Tenancies in England
Finding your next rental home can be exciting, but for many tenants, the thought of tenant referencing checks can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re renting in London, Harrow, Hillingdon, or anywhere across the England, passing your tenant referencing test first time is the key to securing your property stress-free.
At Tenancy Managers, we know what referencing involves and how to prepare. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need for the best change to pass your tenant referencing checks first time.
🔎 What Are Tenant Referencing Checks?
Tenant referencing is how landlords and letting agents confirm that you’re a reliable tenant. The checks usually include:
- Soft credit check – looking at your credit history, CCJs, or missed payments, but doesn’t leave a footprint like a hard credit check.
- Employment check – confirming income and job stability, if your employed or self-employed or using savings.
- Previous landlord reference – ensuring you’ve paid rent on time and cared for the property.
- Right to Rent check – verifying legal eligibility to rent in the UK (see GOV.UK’s Right to Rent guide) - https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent/get-a-share-code-online
- Sanction (part of the UK’s AML process) and PEPs checks – These are completed by the agent in the background and check to see if you the tenants are Politically Exposed Person or have been sanctioned in the UK or against multiple global databases
These steps protect landlords from risk, but they also help tenants prove they are trustworthy and financially stable.
🚫 Why Do Tenants Fail Referencing?
Many tenants worry about being rejected, but failure is often avoidable. The most common reasons include:
- Low or inconsistent income.
- Poor credit history or recent defaults.
- Gaps in rental history.
- Incomplete or missing documents.
- Giving inaccurate information.
Understanding these pitfalls will help you prepare properly.
✅ How to Pass Tenant Referencing First Time
Here are our expert tips to help you succeed:
- Prepare Your Documents in Advance
Have your ID, recent payslips, bank statements, and employer contact details ready before you apply (Work contact details with company accredited emails and contact details). Tenants who prepare early pass checks faster.
- Be Honest About Your Situation
If you have credit issues or are self-employed, be upfront. Offering a guarantor or paying rent in advance can often reassure landlords.
- Check Your Credit File
Run a free credit check with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion before applying. This helps you spot errors or unpaid bills that could affect your application.
- Secure a Strong Reference
Ask your current landlord for a positive reference in advance, so there are no delays when the agency makes contact.
- Show Affordability
A common benchmark is that your gross annual income should be at least 30 x the monthly rent (for example, £1,000 pcm rent = £30,000 pa before tax).
Alternatively, some use a monthly test where your income should be around 2.5 x PCM rent. Providing clear proof of income — such as recent payslips, employment contracts, or accountant letters
🏠 Why Passing First Time Matters
Passing your tenant referencing quickly avoids delays, prevents properties from being let to others, and reduces stress for both tenants and landlords. For landlords, faster referencing also means fewer void periods and a smoother tenancy start.
At Tenancy Managers, we always recommend that tenants keep communication open and honest. In our experience, preparation makes all the difference.
🔗 Useful Links & Resources
- GOV.UK – Right to Rent checks - https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent/get-a-share-code-online
- Experian UK – Credit Report Help
- See our Tenant Services for more guidance
- Landlords – explore our Property Management Services
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent
✨ Final Thoughts
Tenant referencing isn’t something to worry about — it’s simply a process that helps landlords confirm the tenancy is a good fit for everyone involved. By preparing your documents, being open and transparent, and following the steps above, you can approach your tenant referencing with confidence and peace of mind.
For more advice and property updates, read our latest insights on the Tenancy Managers Blog
