Tenant referencing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
For landlords and letting agents letting in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Bournemouth: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a large coastal conurbation with a big private rented sector, especially in central Bournemouth and Boscombe, where many Victorian villas and hotels have been converted into flats. Bournemouth University and the Arts University bring a large student market around Winton, Charminster and Talbot. Poole has quayside apartment blocks and older terraces, while Christchurch and the eastern suburbs have many bungalows and retirement flats. Seafront and clifftop blocks are exposed to salt air and wind.
The income a tenant needs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’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 | £1,349 | £40,470 | £48,564 |
| Shared by two | £675 each | £20,235 each | £24,282 |
| Shared by three | £450 each | £13,490 each | £16,188 |
Landlord licensing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme in force. A scheme for part of the area was consulted on in 2020 but not brought in; the council’s 2025–2027 housing strategy plan says a decision is still needed on whether to pursue discretionary licensing.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme in force (an area-wide scheme was consulted on in 2020); national mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households).
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with BCP Council before letting.
Referencing a tenant in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Bournemouth town centre
BH1, BH2Purpose-built flats, converted Victorian villas and new apartment blocks.
Boscombe
BH1, BH5Large Victorian houses, many split into flats and bedsits.
Winton and Charminster
BH8, BH9Edwardian terraces and bungalows, with many student and shared houses near the university.
Westbourne
BH4Victorian villas and purpose-built flats near the Chines.
Southbourne
BH6Inter-war bungalows and semis and seafront flats.
Kinson and West Howe
BH10, BH11Post-war estates and suburban semis.
Poole town centre and Old Town
BH15Georgian and older houses, quayside flats and modern apartment blocks.
Parkstone
BH12, BH14Victorian and Edwardian houses and inter-war semis.
Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs
BH13Large detached houses and luxury apartment blocks.
Christchurch
BH23Older town-centre houses, bungalows and retirement flats.
Postcode districts: BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11, BH12, BH13, BH14, BH15, BH17, BH23
Tenant referencing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
£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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
At Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s average private rent of £1,349 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £40,470 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £48,564 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
No selective licensing scheme in force. A scheme for part of the area was consulted on in 2020 but not brought in; the council’s 2025–2027 housing strategy plan says a decision is still needed on whether to pursue discretionary licensing. No additional HMO licensing scheme in force (an area-wide scheme was consulted on in 2020); national mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households). (as checked in October 2026; confirm with BCP Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
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 BCP Council's private sector housing team.