Tenant referencing in Stoke-on-Trent
For landlords and letting agents letting in Stoke-on-Trent: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent is a city of six towns with a large stock of Victorian and Edwardian terraces built for pottery workers, many now privately rented. Private renting rose from 14% to 20% of households between 2011 and 2021, one of the biggest rises in the West Midlands. Shelton has many student HMOs near Staffordshire University, and the council has proposed limits on new HMOs across the city. Prices and rents are among the lowest in the region.
The income a tenant needs in Stoke-on-Trent
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 Stoke-on-Trent’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 | £718 | £21,540 | £25,848 |
| Shared by two | £359 each | £10,770 each | £12,924 |
| Shared by three | £239 each | £7,180 each | £8,616 |
Landlord licensing in Stoke-on-Trent
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme in force: the earlier schemes in Cobridge and Fenton ended on 4 August 2019.
HMOs: Mandatory HMO licensing only for now. In August 2026 the council proposed a citywide additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs, subject to consultation, alongside a citywide Article 4 Direction limiting new HMOs; no final decision had been found at the last check.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Stoke-on-Trent City Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Stoke-on-Trent
- 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 Stoke-on-Trent
Hanley
ST1The city centre, with Victorian terraces, flats over shops and newer apartment blocks.
Shelton
ST1, ST4Victorian terraces near the university, many let as student houses and HMOs.
Stoke and Hartshill
ST4Terraced streets and larger Victorian houses near the Royal Stoke hospital, popular with hospital staff.
Burslem
ST6Dense Victorian terraces around the old potbanks, with some post-war council housing.
Tunstall
ST6Red-brick terraced streets with inter-war council estates on the edges.
Longton
ST3Victorian terraces near the town centre and post-war semis towards Meir.
Fenton
ST4Terraced housing close to the old pottery works, much of it privately let.
Trentham
ST4Mostly inter-war and later semi-detached and detached family homes.
Postcode districts: ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST6
Tenant referencing in Stoke-on-Trent: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Stoke-on-Trent?
£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 Stoke-on-Trent?
At Stoke-on-Trent’s average private rent of £718 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £21,540 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £25,848 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Stoke-on-Trent?
No selective licensing scheme in force: the earlier schemes in Cobridge and Fenton ended on 4 August 2019. Mandatory HMO licensing only for now. In August 2026 the council proposed a citywide additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs, subject to consultation, alongside a citywide Article 4 Direction limiting new HMOs; no final decision had been found at the last check. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Stoke-on-Trent City Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Stoke-on-Trent?
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: Private tenants can contact Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Private Sector Housing Team about disrepair, damp and unsafe conditions.