Tenant referencing in Bury
For landlords and letting agents letting in Bury: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Bury
Bury's rented homes are mostly Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Bury town, Radcliffe and Elton, and stone terraces in the Pennine towns of Ramsbottom and Tottington. The south of the borough, Whitefield and Prestwich, has more inter-war semis and apartment blocks close to the Metrolink into Manchester. Social renting makes up about one in seven homes, and the private rented share has grown since 2011. Only larger HMOs need a licence here.
The income a tenant needs in Bury
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 Bury’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 | £969 | £29,070 | £34,884 |
| Shared by two | £485 each | £14,535 each | £17,442 |
| Shared by three | £323 each | £9,690 each | £11,628 |
Landlord licensing in Bury
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme. Council reports from early 2026 say Bury runs only the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme. Only larger HMOs (five or more people from more than one household) need a mandatory licence, as everywhere in England. The council has looked at the evidence for additional licensing and has proposed a borough-wide Article 4 Direction to control conversions of homes into HMOs, but neither was in place at the last check.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Bury Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Bury
- 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 Bury
Bury town centre
BL9Victorian terraces, flats over shops and newer apartment blocks around the town centre.
Ramsbottom
BL0Stone-built terraces and mill cottages in a Pennine valley town, with some converted mill apartments.
Tottington
BL8Stone terraces in the old village core with later semi-detached estates around it.
Radcliffe
M26Red-brick terraces from the town's industrial past alongside post-war council-built estates.
Whitefield
M45Mainly inter-war and post-war semi-detached houses, with some flats along the main roads.
Prestwich
M25Edwardian and inter-war semis and terraces, with apartment developments near the Metrolink stops.
Elton
BL8Dense Victorian terraced streets west of the town centre, many privately let.
Unsworth
BL9Largely post-war semi-detached and terraced family housing.
Postcode districts: BL0, BL8, BL9, M25, M26, M45, OL10
Tenant referencing in Bury: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Bury?
£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 Bury?
At Bury’s average private rent of £969 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £29,070 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £34,884 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Bury?
No selective licensing scheme. Council reports from early 2026 say Bury runs only the mandatory HMO licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme. Only larger HMOs (five or more people from more than one household) need a mandatory licence, as everywhere in England. The council has looked at the evidence for additional licensing and has proposed a borough-wide Article 4 Direction to control conversions of homes into HMOs, but neither was in place at the last check. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Bury Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Bury?
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 with disrepair, damp or safety problems in a privately rented home can contact Bury Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take action against landlords.