Landlords lean harder on tenant referencing
Summary
The article reports that landlords are placing greater emphasis on tenant referencing as consumer County Court Judgements (CCJs) rise and advance rent payments are restricted under the Renters’ Rights Act. Research cited by Leaders suggests referencing is now seen as the key pre-tenancy safeguard, with employment and income checks and agent-led reports carrying the most weight in acceptance decisions.
Why it matters
For residential property surveyors involved in lettings, valuation or due diligence, the piece highlights a tightening focus on tenant affordability and credit risk in the private rented sector. It also signals how regulatory change is reshaping landlord risk management and the role of professional agents in documenting compliant, fair referencing processes.
Key points
- Almost half of landlords say tenant referencing has become more important since the ban on advance rent payments.
- Registry Trust data shows 1.02 million new consumer CCJs were registered in England and Wales in 2025.
- Landlords most often rely on letting agents to manage referencing, with employment/income and referencing reports the top decision factors.
- Most tenants surveyed say they pass referencing without issue, and many see it as beneficial to both parties.
- Leaders says professional referencing helps confirm affordability and protect both landlord income and tenant sustainability.
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