Tenant referencing in Knowsley
For landlords and letting agents letting in Knowsley and Huyton: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Knowsley
Knowsley lies on the eastern edge of Liverpool, made up of Huyton, Kirkby, Prescot, Whiston, Halewood and smaller villages. Much of the borough was built after the war as overspill housing for Liverpool, so council-built estates, now largely run by housing associations, make up a big share of homes, and private renting is below the regional average though it grew quickly between 2011 and 2021. Prescot has an older core of Victorian terraces, and large new private estates have been built at Halewood and elsewhere. Rents rose sharply in the year to August 2026.
The income a tenant needs in Knowsley
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 Knowsley’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 | £858 | £25,740 | £30,888 |
| Shared by two | £429 each | £12,870 each | £15,444 |
| Shared by three | £286 each | £8,580 each | £10,296 |
Landlord licensing in Knowsley
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme could be confirmed: the council's landlord guidance says it may declare areas for selective licensing, but no current designation is listed.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme is listed: mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people from two or more households sharing amenities. The council also runs the voluntary Knowsley Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
Fee: £875 for a five-year HMO licence for five people (2026/27)
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Knowsley Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Knowsley
- 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 Knowsley
Huyton
L36Interwar and post-war council-built estates of semis and terraces, with a regenerated town centre.
Roby
L36Interwar and post-war semis and detached houses near the station.
Kirkby
L32, L33A large post-war overspill town of council-built houses and flats, much of it now owned by housing associations.
Prescot
L34A historic town of Victorian terraces and older buildings, with newer estates.
Whiston
L35Victorian terraces, post-war estates and newer houses near the hospital.
Halewood
L26Post-war estates and large modern developments of semis and detached homes.
Stockbridge Village
L28A post-war estate that has been largely rebuilt with new houses.
Knowsley Village
L34A small village of older cottages and semis beside the Knowsley estate.
Postcode districts: L26, L28, L32, L33, L34, L35, L36
Tenant referencing in Knowsley: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Knowsley?
£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 Knowsley?
At Knowsley’s average private rent of £858 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £25,740 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £30,888 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Knowsley?
No selective licensing scheme could be confirmed: the council's landlord guidance says it may declare areas for selective licensing, but no current designation is listed. No additional HMO licensing scheme is listed: mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people from two or more households sharing amenities. The council also runs the voluntary Knowsley Landlord Accreditation Scheme. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Knowsley Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Knowsley?
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 Knowsley Council's private sector housing team, after first reporting the problem to their landlord.