Passing rental referencing while protecting your financial information

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Separate four different checks

Referencing may cover identity, income, credit information and a previous landlord's reference. England also has a separate Right to Rent check for relevant adult occupants. Having money does not replace immigration permission to rent, and a share code does not itself establish income. See GOV.UK document checks ↗.

Before a holding deposit, request the document list, income criteria and referencing company's name. Establish whether overseas documents and recently established income are accepted. Two agents using the term “reference check” may operate different procedures.

Prepare the agreed evidence

Match names, residence dates and addresses across forms. Evidence income for the requested period using payslips, statements, an employment contract, tax calculations or self-employment accounts. Explain irregular payments clearly rather than presenting business turnover as a personal salary.

Warn a previous landlord or employer to expect a request and provide a current professional contact with their agreement. Verify the property and agent before submitting records. A document request from an unfamiliar person in a chat is not sufficient evidence of a legitimate referencing process.

Submit information securely

Reach the portal through the agent's or company's verified website. Ask for its privacy notice, including purposes, recipients and retention periods. These explanations concern the ICO right to be informed ↗.

For statements, ask whether irrelevant information can be obscured and follow agreed requirements. Never send the agent a banking password, PIN or one-time authentication code. If a specialist service offers bank-data access, establish the provider, access scope, duration and documentary alternative before consenting. Do not grant continuing access without understanding the terms.

If referencing fails

Ask what did not meet the criteria: unverified income, an address error, a missing reference or another issue. Correct factual errors and ask about manual review or a guarantor. Approval is not guaranteed, but incomplete documentation and actual affordability problems call for different responses.

In England, ordinary referencing and guarantor checks should not become a separate prohibited fee. A failed result also does not automatically entitle the agent to retain a holding deposit. Request written reasons and compare the circumstances with the Tenant Fees Act guidance ↗. Keep forms and messages. For data-handling complaints, approach the organisation first, then use the available ICO complaint process.