Information landlords ask for when you start renting

Check if this advice applies to you

This advice applies if you’re starting to rent from a private landlord.

Before you can rent a property you’II need to provide information and documents to show you’II be a good contract holder.

Having your documents ready can help you rent more quickly.

Get your landlord’s or letting agent’s name and contact details before you give them your documents.

Reference checks

You'II be asked to give references to show you can afford the property, and will be a good tenant.

You'll usually have to give a reference from:

• your current landlord and previous landlords if you're renting from a letting agent

• your employer - to show you have a job and it will continue

If you're asked to give your recent bank statements to show your income, make sure you cover over your account numbers for security.

If you're self-employed, you might need to give copies of your trading accounts and an accountant's reference.

Getting a guarantor 

You might be asked to provide a guarantor, for example if you haven't rented before. A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you don't - you could ask your parents or someone else in your family to do this.

Read more about using a guarantor.

If you can’t get a reference

You might still be able to rent, even if you can't get a reference.

Explain to your landlord or letting agent why you're not able to get a reference. If you paid rent on time in the past, show them your occupation contract and rent book or bank statements to prove this.

You could also ask for a 'character reference' - a letter from an employer or someone who knows you well, to show that you're reliable.

Credit checks

Your letting agent and some landlords will do a credit check to see if you’ve had problems paying bills in the past. They must get your permission first.

It’s less common for private landlords to do credit checks because they can make it take longer to rent out a property.

If you’ve got a bad credit history, it’s best to be honest and explain the situation. If you're renting through a letting agent, do this before you give them any money - if you fail a credit check, you might not get your money back.

Your landlord or letting agent shouldn’t force you to pay a fee for a credit check. If they do, you can: 

• report your landlord to Trading Standards  

• report your landlord to Rent Smart Wales

If you fail a credit check, explain why you think this might have happened. If you know you can pay the rent, tell your landlord or letting agent. They might still rent to you if you offer to pay a larger deposit, more rent in advance or if you can get a guarantor.

Read more about deposits, rent in advance and guarantors.