Tenant referencing in Solihull
For landlords and letting agents letting in Solihull: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Solihull
Solihull is one of the most owner-occupied boroughs in the West Midlands. The south, around Solihull town, Knowle, Dorridge and Balsall Common, is mostly inter-war and post-war semi-detached and detached family housing, much of it in the Green Belt. The north, around Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst and Smith's Wood, was built as overspill housing for Birmingham in the 1960s and 70s and has more social and ex-council homes now let privately. Lets near the airport, the NEC and Jaguar Land Rover draw workers and commuters.
The income a tenant needs in Solihull
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 Solihull’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 | £1,279 | £38,370 | £46,044 |
| Shared by two | £640 each | £19,185 each | £23,022 |
| Shared by three | £426 each | £12,790 each | £15,348 |
Landlord licensing in Solihull
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: HMOs with five or more people forming more than one household need a mandatory licence. The council's housing strategy says it will review the need for additional licensing of smaller HMOs.
Fee: £1,075 for a mandatory HMO licence, with a £108 discount for NRLA members
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Solihull
- 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 Solihull
Solihull town centre
B91Flats near Touchwood and the station, with Edwardian and inter-war houses on the surrounding roads.
Shirley
B90Inter-war and post-war semis and terraces along the Stratford Road, with newer estates to the south.
Olton
B92Inter-war semi-detached and detached houses around Olton station and the reservoir.
Knowle and Dorridge
B93Large detached and semi-detached houses, many from the inter-war and post-war years, around village centres.
Balsall Common
CV7Post-war and newer detached and semi-detached houses in a commuter village.
Chelmsley Wood
B37A large 1960s and 70s estate of council-built houses, maisonettes and tower blocks, now with many privately let ex-council homes.
Kingshurst and Smith's Wood
B36, B37Post-war estates of terraced houses and low-rise flats north of Chelmsley Wood.
Castle Bromwich
B36Inter-war and post-war semi-detached family houses on the edge of Birmingham.
Elmdon and Marston Green
B26, B37Inter-war and post-war semis close to Birmingham Airport and the NEC.
Postcode districts: B26, B33, B36, B37, B40, B90, B91, B92, B93, B94, CV7
Tenant referencing in Solihull: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Solihull?
£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 Solihull?
At Solihull’s average private rent of £1,279 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £38,370 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £46,044 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Solihull?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme: HMOs with five or more people forming more than one household need a mandatory licence. The council's housing strategy says it will review the need for additional licensing of smaller HMOs. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Solihull?
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 Solihull Council's private sector housing team, which can inspect homes and take action against landlords.