Tenant referencing in County Durham
For landlords and letting agents letting in County Durham and Durham: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in County Durham
County Durham has a large stock of former colliery terraces in towns and villages such as Stanley, Horden, Easington and Ferryhill, many of them now privately rented and some long-term empty. Durham City has a big student market, with Victorian terraces turned into HMOs and purpose-built student blocks. Post-war new towns at Newton Aycliffe and Peterlee have planned estates, while Teesdale and Weardale in the west have stone cottages and farmhouses. House prices are among the lowest in England.
The income a tenant needs in County Durham
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 County Durham’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 | £653 | £19,590 | £23,508 |
| Shared by two | £327 each | £9,795 each | £11,754 |
| Shared by three | £218 each | £6,530 each | £7,836 |
Landlord licensing in County Durham
Selective licensing: Selective licensing in 103 of the county's 324 small areas (LSOAs), covering about 42% of privately rented homes, from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027. A new scheme from 1 April 2027 was consulted on (closed 12 August 2026).
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people from two or more households.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Durham County Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in County Durham
- 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 County Durham
Durham City
DH1Georgian and Victorian terraces near the cathedral and university, many of them student HMOs, with purpose-built student blocks and suburban estates.
Chester-le-Street
DH2, DH3Victorian terraces near the centre and post-war and modern estates.
Consett
DH8A former steel town of terraces, post-war estates and new housing on the old works site.
Stanley
DH9A former mining town of colliery terraces and post-war estates.
Bishop Auckland
DL14A market town with Victorian terraces, former colliery housing and post-war estates.
Newton Aycliffe
DL5A post-war new town of planned estates of terraces and semis.
Peterlee
SR8A post-war new town of planned estates near the coast.
Seaham
SR7A coastal town of colliery terraces and newer estates and harbour developments.
Barnard Castle
DL12A historic market town of stone houses and cottages in Teesdale.
Spennymoor
DL16A former mining town of terraces and post-war and modern estates.
Postcode districts: DH1, DH2, DH3, DH6, DH7, DH8, DH9, DL4, DL5, DL12, DL13, DL14, DL15, DL16, SR7, SR8, TS27
Tenant referencing in County Durham: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in County Durham?
£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 County Durham?
At County Durham’s average private rent of £653 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £19,590 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £23,508 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in County Durham?
Selective licensing in 103 of the county's 324 small areas (LSOAs), covering about 42% of privately rented homes, from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027. A new scheme from 1 April 2027 was consulted on (closed 12 August 2026). No additional HMO licensing scheme: mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people from two or more households. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Durham County Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in County Durham?
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 with disrepair or unsafe conditions in a private rented home can contact Durham County Council's housing standards team, which can inspect and enforce standards.