Tenant referencing in Middlesbrough
For landlords and letting agents letting in Middlesbrough: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough grew fast in the Victorian era, and dense terraced streets around the town centre in Newport, Gresham, Abingdon and North Ormesby still make up much of the private rented stock. About one in five households rent privately, with student lets near Teesside University and selective licensing in parts of Newport. The south of the town, around Acklam, Marton and Nunthorpe, is mainly owner-occupied suburban housing.
The income a tenant needs in Middlesbrough
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 Middlesbrough’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 | £709 | £21,270 | £25,524 |
| Shared by two | £355 each | £10,635 each | £12,762 |
| Shared by three | £236 each | £7,090 each | £8,508 |
Landlord licensing in Middlesbrough
Selective licensing: Selective licensing covers privately rented homes in two parts of Newport ward: Newport 2 until 2 July 2028 and Newport 1 until 22 July 2029. The North Ormesby scheme ended on 13 June 2026.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: HMOs with five or more people from two or more households need the national mandatory licence. An Article 4 direction controls new small HMOs through planning in parts of the town.
Fee: £998 for a selective licence in Newport 1 (as proposed when the scheme was approved in 2024)
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Middlesbrough Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Middlesbrough
- 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 Middlesbrough
Town centre and Middlehaven
TS1, TS2Flats over shops, converted buildings and new apartments and townhouses on the regeneration land by the docks.
Newport
TS1Streets of Victorian terraced houses near the centre, mostly privately rented and under selective licensing.
Gresham and Abingdon
TS1Victorian terraces close to Teesside University, many let to students and as HMOs.
North Ormesby
TS3Small terraced houses around the market square, with a high share of private lets.
Linthorpe
TS5Larger Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis, some split into flats.
Acklam
TS5Inter-war and post-war semi-detached houses and bungalows.
Berwick Hills and Pallister
TS3Post-war council-built estates of houses and low-rise flats.
Marton and Nunthorpe
TS7, TS8Detached and semi-detached family houses from the 1960s onwards, mostly owner-occupied.
Postcode districts: TS1, TS3, TS4, TS5, TS7, TS8
Tenant referencing in Middlesbrough: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Middlesbrough?
£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 Middlesbrough?
At Middlesbrough’s average private rent of £709 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £21,270 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £25,524 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Middlesbrough?
Selective licensing covers privately rented homes in two parts of Newport ward: Newport 2 until 2 July 2028 and Newport 1 until 22 July 2029. The North Ormesby scheme ended on 13 June 2026. No additional HMO licensing scheme: HMOs with five or more people from two or more households need the national mandatory licence. An Article 4 direction controls new small HMOs through planning in parts of the town. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Middlesbrough Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Middlesbrough?
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 or safety concerns can contact Middlesbrough Council's private sector housing team, which runs the selective licensing scheme and can inspect homes.