As we strive to be the best letting agent in West Bridgford, we pass all our tenants through a vigorous referencing process to ensure that no potential issues along the way may crop up at the end.
We know how excited everyone is to get moved into their new home, so we aim to get the referencing process done as quick as possible to get you moving as soon as possible.
From all applicants we initially need to verify who you are, where you live and if you have the right to live and work in the UK.
For these we require:
Proof of ID
For all adults moving into the property, we will need to see and make a copy of one of the following documents:
- Passport (we cannot accept out of date passports)
- A photo card driving licence
- Resident permit issued to European Economic Association by the Home Office
- Criminal Records Bureau Certificate
- Police warrant card
- Forces ID Card
Proof of Address
For all adults moving into the property, we will need to see and make copies of two of the following:
- Utility Bill
- Home TV/Broadband Bill
- Driving Licence (if not used as Proof of ID)
- Letter from employer on headed paper
- Bank/Building Society Statement
- Mortgage Statement
- Current Council Tax bill
- Local Authority rent card
- House or motor insurance certificate
- State pension/benefits notification
- Credit Card Statement
- Criminal Record Bureau Certificate
Visas
If you are not a UK citizen and wish to apply for a property, we will legally have to check your immigration status- commonly known as the Right to Rent Check.
As part of your rental application, we will then ask to carry out certain references.
There are three parts to the process:
- Credit Check – We check for bad credit, IVA’s, Bankruptcy order and CCJ’s. If you have any adverse credit it is important that you declare this and make us aware of it.
- Current or Previous Landlord Reference- We will contact the landlord or agent who you are renting from now, or a landlord or agent you have rented from in the last 6 months and obtain a reference from them.
- Verification of Earnings- When looking at properties bear in mind how much you can afford to pay. If you fall in love with a property, check to see whether you earn two and a half times the annual rent before setting your heart on it.
For example, if you’re interested in renting a property that cost £600 per calendar month use the below formula:
£600 x 12 months x 2.5 = £18,000
We need to verify that you can meet this affordability calculator and to do this we will check what income you have at present.
For a guarantor, your income must be 3 times higher than the annual rent.
Employed Applicants
We will take a reference from your current employers. It is important to give the name of your line manager or indicate that we need to contact the HR or Payroll department if this is the case. We can provide a consent form for you to sign and present to your employer if necessary. If you are employed by your own company, you need to go down the self-employed route and provide tax returns or accountant details.
Self-Employment
We will need to obtain a reference from your accountant or have sight of the
following:
- Your last 2 year’s accounts
- Your last two years’ worth of official HMRC SA302’s / SA100’s / CIS
Independent Means
If your income is in the form of independent means, then we will require your last 6 month’s bank statements and may take a reference from your accountant if you have one. Independent means can include savings, pensions and investments.
Retired
We will require either your annual pension statement, P60 or bank statements showing your pension income being paid to you. Please submit a copy of your most recent pension statement with your application.
Additional Income
If you have any additional income, please make this clear when you apply.
Additional income could include:
- Tax credits – please provide a copy of this year’s tax credits statement to your agent or bank statements dated within the last 3 months showing payments.
- Savings – please provide 6 months bank statements.
- Additional job – please provide details of who we may contact for a reference.
