Finding the right tenant for your property isn’t just about filling a vacancy. It’s about ensuring you’re handing over the keys to someone who is trustworthy, financially stable, and legally entitled to rent in the UK. A single bad tenancy can result in unpaid rent, property damage, or lengthy legal disputes, all of which can be avoided with the right checks in place.
In the UK, tenant checks combine legal requirements, such as Right to Rent verification, with practical steps, including credit checks, references, and eviction searches. This guide will walk you through how landlords check tenants, how they decide who to rent to, and what to look for in credit and rental history checks.
How to check your tenants
Landlords in England are legally required to carry out Right to Rent checks before starting a tenancy. This is to ensure every adult living in the property has the legal right to rent in the UK.
The process includes:
- Identifying all adults who will live in the property as their main home.
- Checking original identity documents (such as a passport, driving licence, or acceptable alternative) in the tenant’s presence.
- Using the Home Office online service, if the tenant provides a share code (for non-UK and Irish citizens).
- Making copies of the documents that cannot be altered (such as photocopies or digital scans) and recording the date of the check.
- Storing these records securely for the duration of the tenancy and one year after it ends.
If the tenant has time-limited permission to stay in the UK, landlords must carry out follow-up checks either at the end of their visa or 12 months after the initial check, whichever comes later. Failure to follow this process can result in fines of up to £20,000 per tenant or, in severe cases, imprisonment.
Related: What is Landlord Insurance?
Choosing the ideal tenant
Once you’ve met the legal requirements, the next step is finding a tenant who is the right fit for your property and your expectations as a landlord. Many landlords consider the following:
Define your target tenant: Is the property ideal for professionals, students, young families, or retirees? Knowing this will guide your marketing and checks.
Market your property effectively: High-quality, well-lit photos and clear, honest descriptions attract better enquiries. Consider using trusted platforms like Rightmove or Zoopla.
Set a competitive rent: Research similar local properties to make sure your rent is realistic.
Prepare for viewings: A clean, well-maintained property creates a positive first impression. Don’t forget exterior appeal, tidy gardens and fresh paint can make a big difference.
Be transparent: Let applicants know about the referencing and checks you’ll carry out, so there are no surprises.
Professional presentation: Friendly, professional communication builds trust from the outset.
Landlords often use letting agents to handle marketing, viewings, and tenant vetting. This can be especially valuable if you have limited time or want a professional buffer between you and potential tenants.
Related: Your essential landlord inventory guide
Verifying a tenant’s credit history
Credit checks are a routine part of tenant referencing in the UK, helping landlords assess whether an applicant is financially responsible and likely to pay rent on time. With the tenant’s consent, landlords can carry out soft searches using agencies such as Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
These checks reveal public records like County Court Judgments (CCJs), bankruptcies, Debt Relief Orders (DROs), and electoral roll registration, but they do not show detailed credit agreements, payment histories, or bank balances.
Rent payment history will only appear if the tenant is signed up for a rent reporting service. There is no legal minimum credit score required to rent in the UK, though a poor credit record might prompt a landlord to request a guarantor or a higher upfront payment.
Ultimately, credit checks act as a form of risk assessment, giving landlords greater confidence that the tenant can meet rent commitments without financial strain.
Rental history checks in tenant screening
A tenant’s rental history is a strong indicator of how they may behave in your property, making landlord references a vital part of the screening process. These references can confirm whether rent was paid in full and on time, the condition of the property when the tenant left, whether the tenant adhered to the tenancy agreement, and if there were any disputes or complaints during the tenancy.
For first-time renters, employers or educational institutions can provide alternative references. Wherever possible, landlords should verify references by phone to ensure authenticity and gather more detailed insights.
How landlords check credit
Although often confused with credit score checks, a full credit check focuses on specific red flags in a tenant’s financial background. With the tenant’s consent, landlords can access:
- Public insolvency records
- Details of CCJs and IVAs
- Bankruptcy history
- Address history for identity verification
These checks don’t show private banking data but can indicate patterns of financial instability. Importantly, landlords cannot charge tenants for these checks, in line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Related: Expert advice from the start
How do landlords check for evictions?
There’s no single national eviction register in the UK, but landlords can still uncover past evictions by combining several methods. Previous landlord references can be used to ask directly if the tenant was ever subject to eviction proceedings, while public court records may reveal possession orders, which are matters of public record.
Credit reports can also highlight County Court Judgments (CCJs) linked to unpaid rent, providing another layer of insight. In some cases, direct questioning may prompt tenants to disclose past issues themselves. This information is especially valuable in high-demand areas where competition for properties is strong, helping landlords avoid repeat rental problems.
Other common tenant checks
Aside from the main checks above, landlords may also:
- Request proof of income (such as payslips or bank statements) to verify affordability.
- Conduct employment references to verify job stability.
- Consider guarantor agreements for tenants with limited or poor credit history.
- Conduct digital ID verification using approved service providers for extra security.
Key considerations for landlords
- Only checking some tenants instead of all adults living in the property.
- Neglecting follow-up Right to Rent checks for time-limited tenants.
- Accepting references without verifying them directly.
- Discriminating based on nationality, ethnicity, or benefits status (which is illegal under the Equality Act 2010).
- Failing to store personal data securely, breaching GDPR requirements.
Finding the Right Tenant, the Right Way
Carrying out thorough tenant checks is essential to protecting your property, income, and peace of mind. From legal Right to Rent checks to verifying credit scores, rental history, and eviction records, each step reduces the risk of costly disputes or rent arrears.
The best landlords don’t just rely on gut instinct; they use structured, fair, and consistent processes to ensure every tenant is a good fit.
At Country Properties, we take the stress out of this process. Our expert letting teams handle everything from marketing your property and arranging viewings to conducting detailed tenant referencing and legal checks.
For you, this means you can let your property with confidence, knowing your investment is in safe hands. Contact your local Country Properties branch today to find the right tenant quickly, safely, and legally.
