Tenant referencing in Preston
For landlords and letting agents letting in Preston: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Preston
Preston's inner wards, such as Plungington, Deepdale, St Matthew's and Avenham, are dominated by Victorian terraces with a large private rented sector, many of them shared or let to students at the University of Central Lancashire. The city centre has a lot of purpose-built student housing and flats over shops. Fulwood and Ashton are more suburban, while the north-west of the city is growing fast with new-build estates at Cottam and beyond. The council is consulting on selective licensing in three inner wards.
The income a tenant needs in Preston
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 Preston’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 | £790 | £23,700 | £28,440 |
| Shared by two | £395 each | £11,850 each | £14,220 |
| Shared by three | £263 each | £7,900 each | £9,480 |
Landlord licensing in Preston
Selective licensing: No selective licensing in force. A scheme for City Centre, St Matthew's and Plungington wards, with a proposed fee of £1,050 per property for up to five years, was consulted on from 27 July 2026 into early October 2026; a decision is awaited.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme found; national mandatory HMO licensing (five or more people from two or more households) applies. An Article 4 direction restricting new HMOs was consulted on in early 2026 and, if confirmed, would take effect in February 2027.
Fee: £1,050 per property proposed for the planned selective licence (£470 on application, £580 on grant)
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Preston City Council before letting.
Referencing a tenant in Preston
- 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 Preston
City centre
PR1Flats over shops, converted buildings and many purpose-built student blocks near UCLan.
Plungington
PR1Dense Victorian terraces, many let to students and shared.
Deepdale
PR1Victorian terraced streets around the football ground.
Avenham and Frenchwood
PR1Georgian and Victorian houses near the parks, many split into flats, and terraces.
St Matthew's and Ribbleton
PR1, PR2Victorian terraces and post-war estates east of the centre.
Ashton-on-Ribble
PR2Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis, with newer homes at the riverside docks.
Fulwood
PR2Victorian villas, inter-war and post-war semis and larger detached homes.
Cottam and North West Preston
PR4Large new-build estates on the north-western edge.
Riversway and Preston Docks
PR2Modern apartments and houses around the former dock basin.
Broughton and Goosnargh
PR3Village houses, cottages and farmhouses in the rural north.
Postcode districts: PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4
Tenant referencing in Preston: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Preston?
£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 Preston?
At Preston’s average private rent of £790 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £23,700 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £28,440 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Preston?
No selective licensing in force. A scheme for City Centre, St Matthew's and Plungington wards, with a proposed fee of £1,050 per property for up to five years, was consulted on from 27 July 2026 into early October 2026; a decision is awaited. No additional HMO licensing scheme found; national mandatory HMO licensing (five or more people from two or more households) applies. An Article 4 direction restricting new HMOs was consulted on in early 2026 and, if confirmed, would take effect in February 2027. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Preston City Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Preston?
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 Preston City Council's environmental health team.