Tenant referencing in Brentwood
For landlords and letting agents letting in Brentwood: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Brentwood
Brentwood is a mostly owner-occupied commuter borough on the Elizabeth line, with house prices well above the regional average. Private renting grew faster here than across the region between 2011 and 2021, reaching about one in six households. Rented homes are mainly flats and apartments near Brentwood and Shenfield stations and family houses in the suburbs, with large detached homes in Shenfield and the villages. Much of the borough is Green Belt, so new building is limited and mostly infill or conversions.
The income a tenant needs in Brentwood
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 Brentwood’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 | £1,620 | £48,600 | £58,320 |
| Shared by two | £810 each | £24,300 each | £29,160 |
| Shared by three | £540 each | £16,200 each | £19,440 |
Landlord licensing in Brentwood
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme; mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people forming more than one household.
Fee: £890 for a new HMO licence and £603 for a renewal, each for five years (council's HMO page).
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Brentwood Borough Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Brentwood
- 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 Brentwood
Brentwood town centre
CM14, CM15Victorian and Edwardian houses, purpose-built flats and newer apartment blocks near the station and High Street.
Shenfield
CM15A commuter area of large detached and semi-detached inter-war and post-war houses, with flats near the Elizabeth line station.
Hutton
CM13Mainly post-war and 1960s semis, bungalows and some former council estates.
Warley
CM14Inter-war semis, the former Warley Hospital converted into flats and houses, and newer infill homes.
Ingatestone
CM4A village with period cottages on the High Street and post-war and modern family houses around it.
Doddinghurst
CM15A village of chalet bungalows, detached houses and some post-war homes.
Herongate and Ingrave
CM13Small villages of period cottages and larger detached houses in Green Belt countryside.
Pilgrims Hatch
CM15A suburb of post-war semis, terraces and bungalows north-west of the town.
Postcode districts: CM13, CM14, CM15, CM4, CM5, RM4
Tenant referencing in Brentwood: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Brentwood?
£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 Brentwood?
At Brentwood’s average private rent of £1,620 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £48,600 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £58,320 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Brentwood?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme; mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people forming more than one household. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Brentwood Borough Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Brentwood?
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 contact Brentwood Borough Council's private housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions; it can inspect and take action against landlords.