Tenant referencing in Bath and North East Somerset
For landlords and letting agents letting in Bath and North East Somerset and Bath: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Bath and North East Somerset
Bath’s housing is dominated by Georgian and Victorian Bath stone terraces and townhouses, many divided into flats, within a World Heritage Site with many listed buildings. Its two universities create a large student rental market, particularly in Oldfield Park and Widcombe, with many shared houses. Outside the city, Keynsham sits between Bath and Bristol, and the Somer valley towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock are former coalfield settlements with stone terraces and new estates.
The income a tenant needs in Bath and North East Somerset
We check that a tenant’s yearly income is at least 30 times their monthly share of the rent, and that a guarantor earns at least 3 times the yearly rent they guarantee, with enough disposable income left each month to pay it. At Bath and North East Somerset’s average rent:
Income comes from the most reliable source: the salary the employer confirms, then payslips, then what was declared, checked against three months of bank statements.
| Monthly rent | Tenant needs a year | Guarantor needs a year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average home, one tenant | £1,863 | £55,890 | £67,068 |
| Shared by two | £932 each | £27,945 each | £33,534 |
| Shared by three | £621 each | £18,630 each | £22,356 |
Landlord licensing in Bath and North East Somerset
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme in force: the council says the Bath additional licensing scheme (2019–2023) ended on 31 December 2023, and any new scheme would need a consultation first. National mandatory HMO licensing covers the whole area.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Bath & North East Somerset Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Bath and North East Somerset
- Add the tenancyThe property, the rent, the move-in date and the applicant. Their link is emailed at once.
- They apply on their phoneFive years of addresses, work, 3 months of bank statements, payslips and ID, in about 10 minutes.
- We contact the refereesTheir employer, current and previous landlord, by email, automatically.
- You get the reportEvery check, the income from every source, and how we reached the outcome.
Where people rent in Bath and North East Somerset
Bath city centre
BA1, BA2Georgian stone townhouses and terraces, many split into flats, all in a World Heritage Site.
Oldfield Park
BA2Victorian stone terraces, many let to students of the city’s two universities.
Widcombe
BA2Georgian and Victorian stone houses on the slopes south of the river.
Larkhall
BA1Victorian and Georgian terraces and cottages in a village-like suburb.
Keynsham
BS31Post-war and modern houses, with older stone cottages near the centre.
Saltford
BS31Detached and semi-detached houses between Bath and Bristol.
Midsomer Norton
BA3Stone terraces from the coalfield era and newer estates.
Radstock
BA3Former mining town of stone terraces, with new homes on old railway land.
Peasedown St John
BA2A former mining village with large modern estates.
Chew Magna
BS40Period stone houses and cottages in the Chew Valley.
Postcode districts: BA1, BA2, BA3, BS31, BS39, BS40
Tenant referencing in Bath and North East Somerset: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Bath and North East Somerset?
£14.99 per applicant with Rentwick, the same for tenants and guarantors, paid by the landlord or agent. Tenants in England can’t be charged for referencing.
What income do tenants need to rent in Bath and North East Somerset?
At Bath and North East Somerset’s average private rent of £1,863 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £55,890 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £67,068 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Bath and North East Somerset?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme in force: the council says the Bath additional licensing scheme (2019–2023) ended on 31 December 2023, and any new scheme would need a consultation first. National mandatory HMO licensing covers the whole area. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Bath & North East Somerset Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Bath and North East Somerset?
The applicant applies on their phone in about 10 minutes. We email their employer and landlords straight away, so most references are back within a few working days, depending on how quickly the referees reply.
What does the reference check?
Three months of bank statements, payslips, income from every source, the employer, current and previous landlords, five years of addresses and a credit check, with AI comparing every document with the application.
For tenants: Tenants in Bath and North East Somerset can contact the council’s housing services team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in a rented home.