Tenant referencing in Sandwell
For landlords and letting agents letting in Sandwell and West Bromwich: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Sandwell
Sandwell is an industrial Black Country borough made up of six towns: West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Tipton and Wednesbury. A large share of homes are social rented, and the private rented sector has grown fast, much of it in Victorian terraces in Smethwick and West Bromwich and in former council houses bought under right to buy. Shared houses are common enough that the whole borough has additional HMO licensing. Prices are among the lowest in the West Midlands.
The income a tenant needs in Sandwell
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 Sandwell’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 | £937 | £28,110 | £33,732 |
| Shared by two | £469 each | £14,055 each | £16,866 |
| Shared by three | £312 each | £9,370 each | £11,244 |
Landlord licensing in Sandwell
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme found on the council's pages; a selective scheme for West Bromwich was consulted on earlier but the council went ahead with additional HMO licensing instead.
HMOs: Borough-wide additional licensing for privately rented HMOs with three or more people from two or more households, from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2029 (it replaced the earlier West Bromwich scheme). Larger HMOs need a mandatory licence.
Fee: £1,001 for a five-year additional HMO licence, paid in two stages, with discounts of up to £220 for accredited landlords
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Sandwell
- 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 Sandwell
West Bromwich
B70, B71Victorian terraces near the town centre, inter-war council estates and newer town-centre flats.
Smethwick
B66, B67Dense Victorian and Edwardian terraced streets, many privately let, with some post-war blocks.
Oldbury
B68, B69Inter-war and post-war semis and council estates, with terraces near the old town centre.
Rowley Regis and Blackheath
B65Post-war estates and terraced houses on the hills above Cradley Heath.
Cradley Heath
B64Victorian terraces around the high street and later semi-detached estates.
Tipton
DY4Terraces and post-war council estates by the canals, with newer housing on former industrial land.
Wednesbury
WS10Victorian terraces, inter-war semis and post-war council estates.
Great Barr
B43Mainly inter-war and post-war semi-detached family houses on the edge of the borough.
Postcode districts: B43, B64, B65, B66, B67, B68, B69, B70, B71, DY4, WS10
Tenant referencing in Sandwell: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Sandwell?
£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 Sandwell?
At Sandwell’s average private rent of £937 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £28,110 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £33,732 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Sandwell?
No selective licensing scheme found on the council's pages; a selective scheme for West Bromwich was consulted on earlier but the council went ahead with additional HMO licensing instead. Borough-wide additional licensing for privately rented HMOs with three or more people from two or more households, from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2029 (it replaced the earlier West Bromwich scheme). Larger HMOs need a mandatory licence. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Sandwell?
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 Sandwell Council's private sector housing team, which inspects privately rented homes and enforces HMO licensing.