Tenant referencing in East Devon
For landlords and letting agents letting in East Devon and Exmouth: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in East Devon
East Devon is mostly rural and coastal, with owner-occupation high and a large retired population in the seaside towns. Private lets range from flats in converted Victorian and Regency houses in Exmouth and Sidmouth to modern homes in Cranbrook and on the Exeter fringe, and cottages in villages. Many older rural homes are of cob or stone, some thatched and some off the gas grid. Holiday lets and second homes are common along the Jurassic Coast.
The income a tenant needs in East Devon
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 East Devon’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 | £968 | £29,040 | £34,848 |
| Shared by two | £484 each | £14,520 each | £17,424 |
| Shared by three | £323 each | £9,680 each | £11,616 |
Landlord licensing in East Devon
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: only national mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people forming two or more households).
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with East Devon District Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in East Devon
- 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 East Devon
Exmouth
EX8The district's largest town: Victorian and Edwardian terraces near the seafront and centre, with large post-war and modern estates on the edges.
Sidmouth
EX10A Regency seaside town with listed villas and terraces, many flats in converted houses and a lot of retirement housing.
Honiton
EX14A market town with Georgian and older buildings on the High Street, flats over shops and modern estates around the edges.
Seaton
EX12A seaside town with Victorian and inter-war houses, bungalows and newer homes on the former holiday and tram sites.
Axminster
EX13A small market town with older terraces in the centre and newer estates, surrounded by farmland and villages.
Ottery St Mary
EX11A historic town with cob and stone cottages and Georgian houses in the centre and modern estates around it.
Budleigh Salterton
EX9A small coastal town of Victorian villas, bungalows and flats, with a high share of older residents.
Cranbrook
EX5A new town begun in the 2010s, almost entirely modern houses and flats on new estates.
Postcode districts: EX5, EX8, EX9, EX10, EX11, EX12, EX13, EX14, EX24
Tenant referencing in East Devon: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in East Devon?
£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 East Devon?
At East Devon’s average private rent of £968 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £29,040 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £34,848 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in East Devon?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme: only national mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people forming two or more households). (as checked in October 2026; confirm with East Devon District Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in East Devon?
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, damp or safety problems can contact East Devon District Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect rented homes and take action against landlords.