Tenant referencing in Redbridge
For landlords and letting agents letting in Redbridge and Ilford: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Redbridge
Redbridge is mostly suburban, with large estates of interwar semi-detached and terraced houses and older Edwardian terraces nearer Ilford. Private renting grew faster than almost anywhere between 2011 and 2021 (from 22.9% to 30.4% of households) while home ownership fell sharply. Ilford town centre has the most new-build flats, and the Elizabeth line stations at Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath draw commuters. Shared houses are common enough that the council licenses small HMOs across the whole borough.
The income a tenant needs in Redbridge
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 Redbridge’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 | £1,724 | £51,720 | £62,064 |
| Shared by two | £862 each | £25,860 each | £31,032 |
| Shared by three | £575 each | £17,240 each | £20,688 |
Landlord licensing in Redbridge
Selective licensing: Two selective licensing schemes cover most of the borough: Scheme 3 in Ilford Town and Valentines wards (in force since 1 November 2023) and Scheme 4 in 15 further wards (8 April 2024 to 7 April 2029). Check the council’s ward map to see whether a home is included.
HMOs: Borough-wide additional licensing for smaller HMOs (three or four people in two or more households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet), from 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028. Larger HMOs need a mandatory licence.
Fee: £997.69 per property for a selective licence (applications from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027)
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Redbridge Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Redbridge
- 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 Redbridge
Ilford
IG1Edwardian terraces around the town centre alongside newer blocks of flats near the station.
Gants Hill
IG2Interwar semi-detached and terraced houses around the roundabout, with flats above the parades.
Seven Kings and Goodmayes
IG3Long streets of Edwardian and interwar terraced houses, many let to families or sharers.
Barkingside
IG6Interwar semis and terraces, with flats over the High Street shops.
Hainault
IG6, IG7Post-war council-built houses and low-rise blocks, many now privately owned and let.
Clayhall
IG5Mostly interwar semi-detached houses with front drives and rear gardens.
Woodford
IG8Larger Victorian, Edwardian and interwar houses, plus purpose-built flats near the station.
South Woodford
E18Edwardian terraces and mansion-style flats close to George Lane and the Central line.
Wanstead
E11Victorian and Edwardian houses near Wanstead Flats and the High Street, some split into flats.
Postcode districts: IG1, IG2, IG3, IG4, IG5, IG6, IG7, IG8, E11, E12, E18, RM6
Tenant referencing in Redbridge: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Redbridge?
£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 Redbridge?
At Redbridge’s average private rent of £1,724 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £51,720 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £62,064 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Redbridge?
Two selective licensing schemes cover most of the borough: Scheme 3 in Ilford Town and Valentines wards (in force since 1 November 2023) and Scheme 4 in 15 further wards (8 April 2024 to 7 April 2029). Check the council’s ward map to see whether a home is included. Borough-wide additional licensing for smaller HMOs (three or four people in two or more households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet), from 18 September 2023 to 17 September 2028. Larger HMOs need a mandatory licence. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Redbridge Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Redbridge?
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: Redbridge Council’s private sector housing service deals with disrepair, unsafe conditions and unlicensed rented homes; tenants can report problems through the council’s housing pages.