Guide for landlords

How to check a tenant before you sign.

A good tenant makes the whole year easy. These checks take an afternoon and cover identity, money and how their last tenancies actually ended.

Five checks before you say yes

Each one covers something the others miss.

01
Right to Rent
In England, landlords must check that every adult tenant has the right to rent before the tenancy starts. Keep a dated copy of what you saw.
02
Affordability
Check income against the rent. Many UK landlords look for yearly income of around 30 times the monthly rent, or a guarantor.
03
A landlord reference
Ask for their current or last landlord, then find that person’s number yourself rather than using one you’re given.
04
Their Reputation Record
Ask for their Record ID. You’ll see how past tenancies ended, whether deposits came back, and what both sides said.
05
Deposit and inventory
Protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, and agree a dated inventory with photos at check-in.

Do they have to pay to share their record?

No. Having a record, sharing it and replying to anything on it are always free.

What if they don’t have a record yet?

Send them the ask message from our homepage. It takes a few minutes to set up, and the next person they deal with can check it straight away.

Can tenants check me too?

Yes. Records work both ways, so a good tenant may ask for yours. Landlords with a strong record tend to let faster.

This guide is general information for the UK, not legal advice.