Tenant referencing in Forest of Dean
For landlords and letting agents letting in Forest of Dean and Coleford: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a rural district between the Severn and the Wye, with small towns such as Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney and Newent and many scattered villages. Much of the older housing is local stone, built for the coal and iron industries, alongside post-war estates and newer developments, particularly around Lydney. Many homes are off the gas grid, and private lets range from town terraces to isolated cottages.
The income a tenant needs in Forest of Dean
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 Forest of Dean’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 | £828 | £24,840 | £29,808 |
| Shared by two | £414 each | £12,420 each | £14,904 |
| Shared by three | £276 each | £8,280 each | £9,936 |
Landlord licensing in Forest of Dean
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 sharing facilities.
Fee: About £1,333 for a new HMO licence (£241 on application plus £1,092), £1,230 to renew, as listed on the council site in October 2026
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Forest of Dean District Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Forest of Dean
- 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 Forest of Dean
Cinderford
GL14Stone and brick terraces from the mining era, with post-war council-built estates.
Coleford
GL16A market town of stone cottages and terraces, with post-war and newer estates.
Lydney
GL15Victorian terraces near the harbour and station, with large newer estates on its edges.
Newent
GL18A small market town of older timber-framed and brick houses and modern estates.
Mitcheldean and Drybrook
GL17Former mining villages of stone cottages and terraces with some newer infill.
Newnham on Severn
GL14A riverside village of Georgian and older houses along the main road.
Tidenham and Sedbury
NP16Villages near Chepstow with post-war and modern estates and older stone houses.
Berry Hill and Christchurch
GL16Forest villages of stone cottages and bungalows.
Bream and Yorkley
GL15Former mining villages of stone cottages, terraces and bungalows.
Postcode districts: GL14, GL15, GL16, GL17, GL18, NP16
Tenant referencing in Forest of Dean: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Forest of Dean?
£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 Forest of Dean?
At Forest of Dean’s average private rent of £828 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £24,840 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £29,808 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Forest of Dean?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme: only mandatory licensing, for HMOs with five or more people from two or more households sharing facilities. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Forest of Dean District Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Forest of Dean?
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 Forest of Dean District Council's private sector housing team, after first telling their landlord.