Tenant referencing in Walsall
For landlords and letting agents letting in Walsall: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Walsall
Walsall has a large stock of Victorian terraces in the centre and the old industrial towns of Willenhall and Darlaston, and big post-war council estates in Bloxwich and Blakenall. Private renting grew faster than the West Midlands average between 2011 and 2021, and rents rose sharply in the year to August 2026. The council licenses smaller HMOs in central wards such as Paddock, Palfrey, Pleck and St Matthew's. The east of the borough, around Aldridge and Streetly, is mostly owner-occupied family housing.
The income a tenant needs in Walsall
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 Walsall’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 | £924 | £27,720 | £33,264 |
| Shared by two | £462 each | £13,860 each | £16,632 |
| Shared by three | £308 each | £9,240 each | £11,088 |
Landlord licensing in Walsall
Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
HMOs: Additional HMO licensing covers HMOs with three or more tenants from more than one household in Paddock, Palfrey, Pleck and St Matthew's wards, from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027. A second scheme for Bentley and Darlaston North, Birchills Leamore, Blakenall, Darlaston South and Willenhall South was approved in 2022, but later council papers say it did not go ahead; check with the council. Larger HMOs elsewhere need a mandatory licence.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Walsall Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Walsall
- 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 Walsall
Walsall town centre and Caldmore
WS1Dense Victorian terraced streets, many privately let and some converted to HMOs, with flats over shops.
Palfrey and Pleck
WS1, WS2Victorian and Edwardian terraces, in the additional HMO licensing area.
Bloxwich and Blakenall
WS3Older terraces and large post-war council-built estates.
Willenhall
WV12, WV13Victorian terraces from the lock-making industry and post-war semis.
Darlaston
WS10Industrial-era terraces and post-war council housing, with some new builds.
Aldridge
WS9Mostly inter-war and post-war semi-detached and detached family houses.
Streetly and Pheasey
B74, B43Inter-war and post-war semis and detached houses near Sutton Park.
Brownhills
WS8A former mining town with terraces, post-war estates and newer homes.
Postcode districts: WS1, WS2, WS3, WS4, WS5, WS8, WS9, WV12, WV13, WV14, WS10, B43
Tenant referencing in Walsall: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Walsall?
£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 Walsall?
At Walsall’s average private rent of £924 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £27,720 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £33,264 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Walsall?
No selective licensing scheme. Additional HMO licensing covers HMOs with three or more tenants from more than one household in Paddock, Palfrey, Pleck and St Matthew's wards, from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027. A second scheme for Bentley and Darlaston North, Birchills Leamore, Blakenall, Darlaston South and Willenhall South was approved in 2022, but later council papers say it did not go ahead; check with the council. Larger HMOs elsewhere need a mandatory licence. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Walsall Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Walsall?
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 Walsall Council's housing standards team about disrepair, damp or unsafe conditions, or about an unlicensed HMO.