Tenant referencing in Greenwich
For landlords and letting agents letting in Greenwich and Woolwich: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Greenwich
Greenwich mixes Georgian and Victorian terraces in Greenwich, Blackheath and Plumstead with some of London's largest post-war estates in Woolwich and Thamesmead. Since the 2000s, riverside regeneration at Greenwich Peninsula, the Royal Arsenal and Kidbrooke has added thousands of new-build flats in towers and mid-rise blocks. About a quarter of households rented privately at the 2021 census, and social renting is still common. The council licenses smaller HMOs borough-wide and runs selective licensing in the Plumstead and Woolwich area, with a larger scheme under consultation.
The income a tenant needs in Greenwich
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 Greenwich’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 | £1,995 | £59,850 | £71,820 |
| Shared by two | £998 each | £29,925 each | £35,910 |
| Shared by three | £665 each | £19,950 each | £23,940 |
Landlord licensing in Greenwich
Selective licensing: A selective licensing scheme has been in force since 1 October 2022 (for five years) in the Plumstead, Woolwich and Shooters Hill area; sources list the wards slightly differently, so check the address with the council. A larger scheme covering 18 wards, replacing the current one, was consulted on from 21 July to 12 October 2026; no decision had been published when checked.
HMOs: Borough-wide additional HMO licensing has applied since 1 January 2024, for smaller shared homes not covered by mandatory HMO licensing.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Royal Borough of Greenwich before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Greenwich
- 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 Greenwich
Greenwich
SE10Georgian and Victorian terraces near the park and town centre, many divided into flats, plus riverside apartment blocks.
Greenwich Peninsula
SE10High-rise new-build apartment blocks with concierges, lifts and underground parking.
Woolwich
SE18Victorian terraces, large post-war estates and new flats at the Royal Arsenal riverside development.
Plumstead
SE18Long streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, many let as flats or shared homes.
Eltham
SE9Inter-war semis and terraces, including the Well Hall garden-suburb estate built for Arsenal workers.
Charlton
SE7Victorian terraces on the hill and newer riverside flats near the Thames Barrier.
Blackheath
SE3Large Georgian and Victorian houses, many split into flats, and the 1950s and 60s Span estates.
Kidbrooke
SE3, SE9A large regeneration area where the former Ferrier Estate has been replaced by new-build flats and houses.
Thamesmead
SE281960s and 70s concrete estates and later low-rise housing, now being regenerated.
Abbey Wood
SE2Post-war houses and estates, with new flats near the Elizabeth line station.
Postcode districts: SE2, SE3, SE7, SE9, SE10, SE12, SE18, SE28
Tenant referencing in Greenwich: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Greenwich?
£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 Greenwich?
At Greenwich’s average private rent of £1,995 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £59,850 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £71,820 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Greenwich?
A selective licensing scheme has been in force since 1 October 2022 (for five years) in the Plumstead, Woolwich and Shooters Hill area; sources list the wards slightly differently, so check the address with the council. A larger scheme covering 18 wards, replacing the current one, was consulted on from 21 July to 12 October 2026; no decision had been published when checked. Borough-wide additional HMO licensing has applied since 1 January 2024, for smaller shared homes not covered by mandatory HMO licensing. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Royal Borough of Greenwich before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Greenwich?
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: Private tenants can report disrepair, damp and mould or unsafe conditions to the Royal Borough of Greenwich's private sector housing team, which can inspect and take enforcement action.