Tenant referencing in Sutton
For landlords and letting agents letting in Sutton: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Sutton
Sutton is a mainly suburban borough of interwar semis and terraces, with older Victorian cottages in Carshalton and the large St Helier cottage estate on the Merton border. Home ownership is high (64.4% in 2021) and private renting is below the London average, at 20.3% of households. Sutton town centre has the most flats, including office-to-flat conversions and new blocks, and the borough’s grammar schools draw families who rent whole houses.
The income a tenant needs in Sutton
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 Sutton’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 | £1,553 | £46,590 | £55,908 |
| Shared by two | £777 each | £23,295 each | £27,954 |
| Shared by three | £518 each | £15,530 each | £18,636 |
Landlord licensing in Sutton
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: Additional licensing covers the whole borough from 22 March 2026 (designated 22 December 2025, for up to five years), for HMOs of three or more people in two or more households that don't need a mandatory licence.
Fee: £319.40 per letting for a licence of up to five years, under both the mandatory and additional schemes; the council's assisted application service costs £350 per property.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Sutton Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Sutton
- 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 Sutton
Sutton
SM1, SM2Purpose-built flats and new blocks around the town centre, with Victorian and interwar houses nearby.
Cheam
SM2, SM3Mostly interwar semi-detached and detached houses, plus a few older cottages in the village.
Belmont
SM2Interwar and post-war semis and detached houses, with newer developments on former hospital land.
Carshalton
SM5Victorian and older cottages around the ponds, with interwar houses further out.
St Helier
SM5, SM4A large interwar cottage estate of brick terraced houses, built by the London County Council.
Wallington
SM6Edwardian and interwar terraces and semis, with flats near the station.
Hackbridge
SM6Newer eco-housing and apartment developments alongside older terraces.
Worcester Park
KT4Interwar semi-detached and terraced houses on a grid of suburban streets.
Postcode districts: SM1, SM2, SM3, SM5, SM6, KT4
Tenant referencing in Sutton: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Sutton?
£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 Sutton?
At Sutton’s average private rent of £1,553 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £46,590 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £55,908 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Sutton?
No selective licensing scheme. Additional licensing covers the whole borough from 22 March 2026 (designated 22 December 2025, for up to five years), for HMOs of three or more people in two or more households that don't need a mandatory licence. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Sutton Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Sutton?
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: Sutton Council’s private sector housing service can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; tenants can contact it through the council’s housing pages.