Tenant referencing in Somerset
For landlords and letting agents letting in Somerset and Taunton: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Somerset
Somerset is a large rural county whose main towns are Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater and Frome. Older homes include stone cottages and terraces in the Mendips and south Somerset, Victorian terraces in the towns and seaside villas in Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead, with large new-build estates around Taunton and Bridgwater. The construction of Hinkley Point C has added demand for rooms and shared houses around Bridgwater. Much of the countryside is off the gas grid, and parts of the Somerset Levels flood.
The income a tenant needs in Somerset
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 Somerset’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 | £1,016 | £30,480 | £36,576 |
| Shared by two | £508 each | £15,240 each | £18,288 |
| Shared by three | £339 each | £10,160 each | £12,192 |
Landlord licensing in Somerset
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: No additional HMO licensing scheme: HMOs let to five or more people from two or more households need a mandatory licence, run by the council's Private Sector Housing and Enforcement Service across Somerset.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Somerset Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Somerset
- 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 Somerset
Taunton
TA1, TA2The county town, with Victorian terraces, inter-war and post-war estates and large new-build areas such as Monkton Heathfield.
Yeovil
BA20, BA21Victorian terraces near the centre, post-war estates and newer developments linked to the aerospace industry.
Bridgwater
TA6Victorian terraces, post-war council estates and new-build homes, with demand from workers at Hinkley Point C.
Frome
BA11A hilly town of stone cottages and terraces, many in conservation areas, with newer estates on the edges.
Wells
BA5A small cathedral city of stone houses and period terraces, with later estates around it.
Glastonbury and Street
BA6, BA16Stone and brick terraces and post-war estates in two neighbouring towns on the Levels.
Burnham-on-Sea
TA8A seaside town of Victorian villas, bungalows and holiday-let flats.
Minehead
TA24A coastal town on the edge of Exmoor, with Victorian and Edwardian houses and many bungalows.
Chard
TA20A market town with stone and brick terraces and post-war estates.
Shepton Mallet
BA4Stone terraces and cottages in the old town, with newer estates and homes near the former prison site.
Postcode districts: TA1, TA2, TA3, TA6, TA7, TA8, TA9, TA20, TA24, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA11, BA16, BA20, BA21, BA22
Tenant referencing in Somerset: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Somerset?
£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 Somerset?
At Somerset’s average private rent of £1,016 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £30,480 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £36,576 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Somerset?
No selective licensing scheme. No additional HMO licensing scheme: HMOs let to five or more people from two or more households need a mandatory licence, run by the council's Private Sector Housing and Enforcement Service across Somerset. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Somerset Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Somerset?
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 Somerset Council's Private Sector Housing and Enforcement Service, which inspects privately rented homes and takes action against landlords.