Tenant referencing in Salford
For landlords and letting agents letting in Salford: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Salford
Salford has one of the fastest-growing private rented sectors in England: more than a quarter of households rented privately in 2021. Much of the growth is in new apartment towers at Salford Quays, MediaCityUK and around Chapel Street, alongside Victorian terraces in Broughton, Ordsall and Eccles where selective licensing applies. Students at the University of Salford rent shared houses around Seedley and Pendleton. Further west, Swinton, Walkden, Worsley and Irlam are mostly owner-occupied suburbs with post-war semis.
The income a tenant needs in Salford
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 Salford’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 | £1,170 | £35,100 | £42,120 |
| Shared by two | £585 each | £17,550 each | £21,060 |
| Shared by three | £390 each | £11,700 each | £14,040 |
Landlord licensing in Salford
Selective licensing: Selective licensing covers parts of the city: Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park (21 January 2026 to 20 January 2031) and Eccles, Barton and Winton (from 1 September 2022, for five years). Check the council's map for the exact streets.
HMOs: The citywide additional licensing scheme for three- and four-person HMOs ended on 19 July 2026 and cannot be renewed. The council consulted from 4 February to 15 April 2026 on a new citywide additional licensing scheme for poorly converted blocks of flats (section 257 HMOs); no decision had been found at the last check. Larger HMOs still need a mandatory licence.
Fee: £609 for a selective licence in Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park, or £390 for accredited landlords who apply promptly (2026)
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Salford City Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Salford
- 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 Salford
Salford Quays and MediaCityUK
M50High-rise and mid-rise apartment blocks built since the 1990s around the old docks.
Chapel Street and Greengate
M3New-build apartment towers and converted warehouses on the edge of Manchester city centre.
Ordsall
M5Terraced streets and low-rise council-built homes, with newer apartment blocks by the Quays.
Pendleton and Seedley
M6Post-war tower blocks and estates being regenerated, plus Victorian terraces let to students near the university.
Broughton and Kersal
M7Victorian terraces and large Edwardian houses, many split into flats, alongside post-war estates.
Eccles
M30Victorian and Edwardian terraces around the town centre, with inter-war semis further out.
Swinton
M27Mainly inter-war and post-war semi-detached houses with some terraces and flats near the centre.
Walkden
M28Post-war estates and newer private housing, with older terraces near the town centre.
Worsley
M28Larger detached and semi-detached homes and some period cottages around the canal village.
Irlam and Cadishead
M44Terraced and semi-detached houses in small towns by the Manchester Ship Canal, with new estates on former industrial land.
Postcode districts: M3, M5, M6, M7, M27, M28, M30, M38, M44, M50
Tenant referencing in Salford: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Salford?
£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 Salford?
At Salford’s average private rent of £1,170 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £35,100 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £42,120 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Salford?
Selective licensing covers parts of the city: Broughton, Kersal and Broughton Park (21 January 2026 to 20 January 2031) and Eccles, Barton and Winton (from 1 September 2022, for five years). Check the council's map for the exact streets. The citywide additional licensing scheme for three- and four-person HMOs ended on 19 July 2026 and cannot be renewed. The council consulted from 4 February to 15 April 2026 on a new citywide additional licensing scheme for poorly converted blocks of flats (section 257 HMOs); no decision had been found at the last check. Larger HMOs still need a mandatory licence. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Salford City Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Salford?
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 can contact Salford City Council's housing standards team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces the licensing schemes.