References for Renting

Dummie_2

Looking to rent. Have registered with a few agents so that I can receive email up-dates on properties that become available.

One of the agents called me earlier to clarify some details. I took the opportunity to ask them what kind of references I should have prepared so that as soon as we find the right property we are 100% ready.

They told me that they themselves will run a referencing on us and the information they get from that is enough. Some landlords require employment references but because we are self-employed, that won't apply to us.

Is this right? I was always under the impression that we needed to supply character and bank references.

Can someone pls advise? Also, this referencing that the agent carries out. What kind of information are they able to dig up about us?

Thanks.

rosysparkle

Some agents do bank and character references but most use referencing agencies nowadays.

The referencing agency will want proof of your identity and previous addresses, confirmation from your accountant of your income to assess affordability, they will run a credit check (risk score, electoral roll info, linked address and linked identity information, any fraud warnings, CCJs), and if you have been previously renting they will contact your previous landlord(s).

Dummie_2

rosysparkle wrote:

The referencing agency will want proof of your identity and previous addresses, confirmation from your accountant of your income to assess affordability, they will run a credit check (risk score, electoral roll info, linked address and linked identity information, any fraud warnings, CCJs), and if you have been previously renting they will contact your previous landlord(s).

So I don't actually need to go to my accountant and ask him to write me a reference? I just name him on my application form?

At the moment, I own the lease of a Fish & Chip shop. We pay monthly rent for this. Is this considered as renting? Do I need to name my landlord as a reference? The landlord lives abroad.

inmypocketnottheirs

The Landlord/Agent could use a tenant referenceing service, like letsure, who do all the 'dirty work'. If this is a case, you will be given an application form to fill in, and the LL/Agent will deal with the enquries. You could put your business LL down as a reference, just depends on how the LL/Agent does ther reference checks.

clutton_2

you may want to look on https://www.landlordzone.co.uk - there is a tenant application form on there, which is typical of the information a landlord/agent needs these days