Tenant referencing in Bristol
For landlords and letting agents letting in Bristol: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Bristol
Bristol is a large city with a big private rented sector, driven by two universities and strong demand from young workers. Much of the inner city is Victorian terraces and Georgian houses converted into flats, while the centre and Harbourside have many modern apartment blocks. Shared student houses are concentrated in areas such as Redland, Cotham and Bishopston. The outer south and north of the city have large post-war council-built estates.
The income a tenant needs in Bristol
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 Bristol’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 | £1,880 | £56,400 | £67,680 |
| Shared by two | £940 each | £28,200 each | £33,840 |
| Shared by three | £627 each | £18,800 each | £22,560 |
Landlord licensing in Bristol
Selective licensing: Selective licensing in Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham and Easton wards from 6 August 2024 (to August 2029), and in Bedminster and Brislington West from 6 April 2022 (to April 2027).
HMOs: City-wide additional HMO licensing from 6 August 2024 (to August 2029), covering most HMOs not under mandatory licensing.
Fee: £1,861 for a first additional HMO licence and £912 for a selective licence (council fee page)
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Bristol City Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Bristol
- 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 Bristol
Clifton
BS8Georgian and Regency terraces and villas, many divided into flats.
Redland and Cotham
BS6Large Victorian houses and terraces, many converted to flats or let to sharers.
Bedminster and Southville
BS3Streets of Victorian terraced houses, with newer flats near the river.
Easton
BS5Dense Victorian terraces with some post-war council housing.
Bishopston
BS7Victorian and Edwardian terraced family houses.
Stokes Croft and St Pauls
BS2Georgian and Victorian buildings, flats above shops and post-war council blocks.
Harbourside and Temple Quarter
BS1Modern apartment blocks and converted warehouses around the docks.
Fishponds
BS16Victorian and inter-war terraces and semis.
Hartcliffe and Withywood
BS13Post-war council-built estates of houses and low-rise flats.
Postcode districts: BS1, BS2, BS3, BS4, BS5, BS6, BS7, BS8, BS9, BS13, BS14, BS16
Tenant referencing in Bristol: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Bristol?
£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 Bristol?
At Bristol’s average private rent of £1,880 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £56,400 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £67,680 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Bristol?
Selective licensing in Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham and Easton wards from 6 August 2024 (to August 2029), and in Bedminster and Brislington West from 6 April 2022 (to April 2027). City-wide additional HMO licensing from 6 August 2024 (to August 2029), covering most HMOs not under mandatory licensing. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Bristol City Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Bristol?
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 payment history from the bank statements, with AI comparing every document with the application.
For tenants: Tenants can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions to Bristol City Council's private housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords.