Tenant referencing in Boston
For landlords and letting agents letting in Boston: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Boston
Boston is a market town and port surrounded by flat fenland farming country, and its private rented sector is large for a rural district, driven by agricultural and food-processing work. Many older terraces and town houses in central Boston are let, some as shared houses. The surrounding villages have brick cottages, bungalows and post-war estates, with some tied and farm cottages. Much of the borough is low-lying and protected by flood defences.
The income a tenant needs in Boston
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 Boston’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 | £809 | £24,270 | £29,124 |
| Shared by two | £405 each | £12,135 each | £14,562 |
| Shared by three | £270 each | £8,090 each | £9,708 |
Landlord licensing in Boston
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: the joint HMO Licensing Policy 2026–2029 says the council does not run one but may introduce one. National mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households).
Fee: £1,046 for a five-year HMO licence, paid in two instalments
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Boston Borough Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Boston
- 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 Boston
Boston town centre
PE21Georgian and Victorian town houses and flats over shops, many let privately.
Skirbeck
PE21Victorian terraces and inter-war and post-war semis east of the centre.
Fenside
PE21Post-war council-built estates and terraces.
Witham and Staniland
PE21Terraced streets and inter-war houses north of the centre.
Kirton
PE20A large village of older cottages and post-war and newer estates.
Sutterton
PE20A fenland village of cottages, bungalows and later estates.
Swineshead
PE20A village of older brick cottages and modern homes.
Old Leake
PE22A rural village with farm cottages, bungalows and newer houses.
Fishtoft
PE21A village and suburb with modern estates on the edge of Boston.
Postcode districts: PE20, PE21, PE22
Tenant referencing in Boston: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Boston?
£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 Boston?
At Boston’s average private rent of £809 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £24,270 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £29,124 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Boston?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme: the joint HMO Licensing Policy 2026–2029 says the council does not run one but may introduce one. National mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households). (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Boston Borough Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Boston?
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 can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Boston Borough Council's private sector housing team.