Tenant referencing in Folkestone and Hythe
For landlords and letting agents letting in Folkestone and Hythe and Folkestone: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Folkestone and Hythe
Folkestone and Hythe combines the large coastal town of Folkestone, the smaller resort of Hythe, the low-lying Romney Marsh and the villages of the North Downs. Folkestone has many large Victorian and Edwardian houses divided into flats, alongside regeneration at the harbour and seafront, while Hawkinge has grown with modern estates. On Romney Marsh, bungalows and seaside chalets in Dymchurch and Littlestone are common, and a large new settlement is planned at Otterpool Park.
The income a tenant needs in Folkestone and Hythe
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 Folkestone and Hythe’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 | £1,178 | £35,340 | £42,408 |
| Shared by two | £589 each | £17,670 each | £21,204 |
| Shared by three | £393 each | £11,780 each | £14,136 |
Landlord licensing in Folkestone and Hythe
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: only mandatory licensing, for HMOs with five or more people from two or more households.
Fee: £1,130 for an HMO licence application and £960 to renew, as listed on the council site in October 2026
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Folkestone and Hythe District Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Folkestone and Hythe
- 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 Folkestone and Hythe
Folkestone town centre and the Leas
CT20Large Victorian and Edwardian villas and terraces, many converted into flats, and seafront apartment blocks.
Folkestone Harbour
CT20Older fishermen's cottages and the new seafront development of flats and houses.
Cheriton
CT19, CT20Victorian and Edwardian terraces and interwar semis west of the town centre.
Sandgate
CT20A seaside village of Georgian and Victorian houses and cottages along the coast road.
Hythe
CT21Historic town centre houses and cottages, Victorian villas and post-war estates near the Royal Military Canal.
Hawkinge
CT18Large modern estates of houses built from the 1990s onwards.
New Romney
TN28Older houses in the town centre with bungalows and estates towards Littlestone.
Dymchurch
TN29Seaside bungalows, holiday chalets and small houses behind the sea wall.
Lydd
TN29A small Romney Marsh town of brick cottages and post-war estates.
Lyminge and the Elham Valley
CT18Downland villages of flint and brick cottages and some newer houses.
Postcode districts: CT18, CT19, CT20, CT21, TN28, TN29, TN25
Tenant referencing in Folkestone and Hythe: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Folkestone and Hythe?
£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 Folkestone and Hythe?
At Folkestone and Hythe’s average private rent of £1,178 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £35,340 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £42,408 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Folkestone and Hythe?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme: only mandatory licensing, for HMOs with five or more people from two or more households. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Folkestone and Hythe District Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Folkestone and Hythe?
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 in a private let can contact Folkestone and Hythe District Council's private sector housing team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord.