Referencing & Right to Rent Checks: A Tenant's Guide
Finding a home you love is the exciting part. Referencing is the bit that usually comes with a few nerves — mostly because nobody quite tells you what it actually involves. Here's what to expect, so you can walk into your application prepared and confident.
What is referencing, and why does it happen?
Referencing is simply how a letting agent confirms that a tenancy is affordable and workable for everyone involved. It protects you as much as it protects the landlord — it's designed to make sure you're taking on a home you can comfortably afford, not just approved for one.
A standard reference check typically looks at:
Proof of income or employment, to confirm affordability
A credit check, covering things like County Court Judgments and payment history
References from a current or previous landlord, where applicable
Right to Rent status (more on this below)
What is a Right to Rent check?
By law, every letting agent and landlord in England must check that a tenant has the legal right to rent a property before a tenancy begins. This applies to every tenant, regardless of nationality — it's a standard, universal check, not something applied selectively.
In practice, this simply means providing accepted identity documents (such as a passport, or a Home Office share code if you don't hold a British or Irish passport) so we can confirm your status before move-in. It's a quick check, and one we're required to complete for every tenancy we manage.
Documents to have ready
Having the following ready before you apply will speed the whole process up considerably:
Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement)
Proof of income (recent payslips, or an accountant's reference if self-employed)
Previous landlord or letting agent contact details, if you're currently renting
Right to Rent documentation or Home Office share code, where applicable
How long does referencing take?
With everything to hand, referencing can often be completed within a few working days. The most common delay isn't the check itself — it's waiting on a previous landlord or employer to respond to a reference request. Giving your current landlord a heads-up that we'll be in touch can save valuable time.
Making it simple
We built our process to be as straightforward as possible — clear communication throughout, and no unnecessary back-and-forth. If you're applying for one of our properties and have a question about where your referencing stands, our team is always on hand to help.
Frequently asked questions
How long does referencing take for a rental property?
With all documents ready, referencing is usually completed within a few working days. The main delay is typically waiting on a response from a previous landlord or employer, rather than the check itself.
What documents do I need for a Right to Rent check?
You'll need valid photo ID, such as a passport, or a Home Office share code if you don't hold a British or Irish passport. Proof of address and proof of income are also usually requested as part of referencing.
Can a tenancy be refused after referencing?
Yes — referencing exists to confirm a tenancy is affordable and workable for everyone. If a check raises a concern, we'll always discuss it with you directly rather than simply declining the application outright.
Ready to start looking, or already found a home you love? Get in touch with the team at hello@benchmarkea.co.uk or 020 3832 6106.