Congratulations on finding your new home! As part of the tenancy process, tenant referencing is a vital step to ensure a smooth and successful rental experience. At PropertyLoop, we want to guide you through this process and provide you with essential information for a seamless referencing journey. Here's what you need to know and how you can expedite the process:
ID and Right to Rent Checks: To start the referencing process, you must provide a valid ID that matches the name on your application. If there has been a name change, remember to supply proof of the change. If you are renting in the UK, you will also need to satisfy Right to Rent requirements, which involve immigration checks to verify your legal right to live in the country.
Tip: Be proactive and promptly submit clear and accurate identification to avoid delays.
Credit Checks: The referencing company will conduct credit checks through Equifax to examine your credit repayment history. It's crucial to declare any current or past adverse credit situations, whether active or satisfied, on your application. Failure to declare adverse credit can result in referencing issues.
Tip: Use Open Banking to expedite credit checks and enhance the referencing process. It allows the referencing company to securely access your financial data, making verifications quicker and more efficient.
Income and Employment Verification: Proof of employment and income, along with a reference from your employer, is necessary. If you are about to change jobs, provide the contact details of your future employer(s). The industry-standard affordability ratio required is 2.5 for tenants and 3.0 for guarantors. This means your income should be at least 2.5 times the annual rent (3 times for guarantors) to meet affordability criteria.
Tip: Be prepared to supply income and employment information promptly to expedite the verification process.
Residential Status: The referencing company will confirm your residential history, including your current address and any addresses you lived in the past three years. If you are not currently renting or cannot provide your landlord's contact details, further investigation may be required.
Tip: Check your emails regularly during the referencing process in case the referencing company requires additional information from you.
Tenant referencing is an essential part of securing your new home. To ensure a smooth and efficient process, be honest and transparent throughout, and provide all required information promptly. Utilise Open Banking to expedite credit and residential rent checks. At PropertyLoop, we aim to complete the entire referencing process swiftly, allowing you to move into your dream home as soon as possible. Should you have any questions or need assistance, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to PropertyLoop, where your new home awaits!