Tenant referencing in Thurrock
For landlords and letting agents letting in Thurrock and Grays: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Thurrock
Thurrock sits on the Thames east of London, with former dock and industrial towns such as Grays and Tilbury, post-war London overspill estates at South Ockendon and Aveley, and large modern developments at Chafford Hundred. Private renting rose faster than the regional average between 2011 and 2021, and the council introduced selective and additional licensing in 2025 and 2026. Many tenants commute into London on the c2c line. Regeneration is under way at Purfleet and around Grays town centre.
The income a tenant needs in Thurrock
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 Thurrock’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 | £1,372 | £41,160 | £49,392 |
| Shared by two | £686 each | £20,580 each | £24,696 |
| Shared by three | £457 each | £13,720 each | £16,464 |
Landlord licensing in Thurrock
Selective licensing: Selective licensing covers privately rented homes in designated wards (16 wards are reported) from 5 January 2026 to 4 January 2031. A High Court judge refused permission for a judicial review in March 2026, and the deadline to apply was extended to 31 March 2026. Check the council's ward list for a property.
HMOs: Additional HMO licensing is reported to cover 20 wards from 7 September 2025 to 6 September 2030; larger HMOs need a mandatory licence across the borough.
Fee: around £1,002 for a selective licence (2025/26 fee table), with a higher rate for landlords found operating unlicensed and a £500 surcharge for paper applications
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Thurrock Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Thurrock
- 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 Thurrock
Grays
RM16, RM17Victorian and Edwardian terraces near the centre, flats over shops and post-war council-built estates.
Tilbury
RM18Terraced streets and post-war estates and flats built for the docks.
Chafford Hundred
RM16A large 1990s and 2000s development of houses and flats in former chalk quarries.
South Ockendon and Aveley
RM15Post-war London overspill estates of terraced houses and flats.
Purfleet-on-Thames and West Thurrock
RM19, RM20Riverside flats and new-build homes, with regeneration under way at Purfleet.
Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham
SS17Inter-war and post-war semis and bungalows, with newer estates.
Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary
RM16Post-war council-built estates and semi-detached houses.
Orsett and Horndon-on-the-Hill
RM16, SS17Villages with period cottages and larger detached houses.
Postcode districts: RM15, RM16, RM17, RM18, RM19, RM20, SS17
Tenant referencing in Thurrock: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Thurrock?
£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 Thurrock?
At Thurrock’s average private rent of £1,372 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £41,160 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £49,392 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Thurrock?
Selective licensing covers privately rented homes in designated wards (16 wards are reported) from 5 January 2026 to 4 January 2031. A High Court judge refused permission for a judicial review in March 2026, and the deadline to apply was extended to 31 March 2026. Check the council's ward list for a property. Additional HMO licensing is reported to cover 20 wards from 7 September 2025 to 6 September 2030; larger HMOs need a mandatory licence across the borough. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Thurrock Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Thurrock?
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 Thurrock Council's private sector housing team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, or about a landlord who should be licensed.