Tenant referencing in Oldham
For landlords and letting agents letting in Oldham: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Oldham
Oldham's inner areas, such as Coldhurst, Westwood, Werneth and Glodwick, are dominated by Victorian brick terraces built for the cotton mills, and this is where most private renting and the selective licensing areas are. Chadderton, Royton, Shaw and Failsworth mix terraces with inter-war semis and post-war estates. In the east, the Saddleworth villages on the edge of the Pennines are stone-built and largely owner-occupied. Private renting grew quickly between 2011 and 2021, and rents have risen sharply since.
The income a tenant needs in Oldham
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 Oldham’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 | £931 | £27,930 | £33,516 |
| Shared by two | £466 each | £13,965 each | £16,758 |
| Shared by three | £310 each | £9,310 each | £11,172 |
Landlord licensing in Oldham
Selective licensing: Selective licensing in five designated areas covering parts of Alexandra, St Mary's, St James', Waterhead, Coldhurst, Werneth, Chadderton South, Hollinwood and Medlock Vale wards, from 4 July 2022 to 3 July 2027; the council's maps show the streets included. A wider scheme covering about 40% of the borough was consulted on in 2024; we could not confirm a decision.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme found; national mandatory HMO licensing (five or more people from two or more households) applies.
Fee: £582 per selective licence, as stated on the council's site
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Oldham Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Oldham
- 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 Oldham
Oldham town centre
OL1Flats over shops, some converted buildings and newer apartments.
Coldhurst and Westwood
OL1, OL9Dense Victorian terraced streets and post-war estates north and west of the centre.
Werneth and Glodwick
OL8, OL4Victorian terraces, larger family houses and some mill-era streets.
Hollinwood
OL8, OL9Terraces and post-war estates near the M60 and Metrolink.
Chadderton
OL9Brick terraces, inter-war semis and post-war estates around former mills.
Royton and Shaw
OL2Former mill-town terraces with post-war and newer estates.
Failsworth
M35Terraces and semis on the Manchester side of the borough.
Lees and Springhead
OL4Stone and brick terraces climbing towards the hills.
Saddleworth villages
OL3Stone weavers' cottages and terraces in Uppermill, Delph, Dobcross and Diggle, with larger detached homes.
Postcode districts: OL1, OL2, OL3, OL4, OL8, OL9, M35
Tenant referencing in Oldham: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Oldham?
£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 Oldham?
At Oldham’s average private rent of £931 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £27,930 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £33,516 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Oldham?
Selective licensing in five designated areas covering parts of Alexandra, St Mary's, St James', Waterhead, Coldhurst, Werneth, Chadderton South, Hollinwood and Medlock Vale wards, from 4 July 2022 to 3 July 2027; the council's maps show the streets included. A wider scheme covering about 40% of the borough was consulted on in 2024; we could not confirm a decision. No additional HMO licensing scheme found; national mandatory HMO licensing (five or more people from two or more households) applies. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Oldham Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Oldham?
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 can report disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions in privately rented homes to Oldham Council's private sector housing team.