Tenant referencing in Westminster
For landlords and letting agents letting in Westminster: one link per applicant, thorough checks, and a report that explains its outcome. £14.99 per applicant.
Renting in Westminster
Westminster had the second-highest share of private renting in England in 2021 (43.3% of households, after the City of London), and its social rented sector grew too (28.3%). Most homes are flats: Georgian and Victorian terraces split into flats, red-brick mansion blocks, and post-war estates such as Churchill Gardens and Lisson Green. Lets range from studios above shops in Soho to high-value furnished flats in Mayfair and Belgravia, and many properties are leasehold with managing agents and porters.
The income a tenant needs in Westminster
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 Westminster’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 | £3,196 | £95,880 | £115,056 |
| Shared by two | £1,598 each | £47,940 each | £57,528 |
| Shared by three | £1,065 each | £31,960 each | £38,352 |
Landlord licensing in Westminster
Selective licensing: Selective licensing covers 15 of the 18 wards (all except Pimlico South, St James's and Vincent Square) in two designations from 24 November 2025 until 23 November 2030, for privately rented homes that aren't HMOs.
HMOs: Additional licensing covers the whole city for smaller shared houses and flats (three or more people in two or more households); the renewed scheme runs from 31 August 2026 until 30 August 2031, and existing licences stay valid until they expire.
Fee: Additional HMO licence £1,540 for five years; selective licence £995 (Part A £543, Part B £452), with discounts for accredited landlords and EPC B or above.
As checked in October 2026. The council’s page Schemes change: confirm with Westminster City Council before letting. Private renting at the council.
Referencing a tenant in Westminster
- 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 Westminster
Marylebone
W1, NW1Georgian terraces and red-brick mansion blocks, most divided into flats.
Mayfair
W1Georgian and Victorian townhouses and mansion flats, many high-value lets.
Soho and Covent Garden
W1, WC2Flats above shops, bars and offices, plus some mansion blocks and housing association homes.
Pimlico
SW1White stucco Victorian terraces split into flats, and the Churchill Gardens estate.
Belgravia
SW1Grand stucco terraces and mews houses, many on long leases.
Bayswater
W2Victorian stucco terraces converted into flats and some hotels, with mansion blocks.
Paddington
W2Victorian terraces and new apartment towers around Paddington Basin.
Maida Vale
W9Edwardian red-brick mansion blocks and canal-side Victorian villas.
St John’s Wood
NW8Regency and Victorian villas and large mansion blocks.
Queen’s Park
W10Victorian terraced cottages on the Queen’s Park estate and post-war council blocks.
Postcode districts: W1, W2, W9, W10, NW1, NW8, SW1, WC2
Tenant referencing in Westminster: questions
How much does tenant referencing cost in Westminster?
£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 Westminster?
At Westminster’s average private rent of £3,196 a month (ONS), a tenant renting alone would need about £95,880 a year (30 times the monthly rent). Sharers each need 30 times their own share. A guarantor would need about £115,056 a year (3 times the yearly rent) and enough disposable income to cover it.
Do landlords need a licence to let in Westminster?
Selective licensing covers 15 of the 18 wards (all except Pimlico South, St James's and Vincent Square) in two designations from 24 November 2025 until 23 November 2030, for privately rented homes that aren't HMOs. Additional licensing covers the whole city for smaller shared houses and flats (three or more people in two or more households); the renewed scheme runs from 31 August 2026 until 30 August 2031, and existing licences stay valid until they expire. (as checked in October 2026; confirm with Westminster City Council before letting).
How long does a tenant reference take in Westminster?
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: Westminster City Council’s private sector housing and environmental health service can inspect privately rented homes for disrepair and hazards; tenants can contact it through the council’s housing pages.