Which type of enquiry should I conduct?
This is a personal choice and depends on your attitude toward risk assessment.
Using the SWLA Tenant Reference Service will inform you of any credit problems your prospective tenants may have had in the past.
The Full Tenant Referencing service includes references and income confirmation, providing a predictive insight into future outcomes.
Do I need consent from the people being checked?
For Full Tenant Referencing, you may invite applicants to complete their applications online. If you choose this option, we will obtain consent directly from the tenant or guarantor.
Applicants will be asked to provide consent during the application process and will also need to print and sign a declaration, returning it to us. Please note that this site and our services are governed by the 1998 Data Protection Act.
Can I issue my tenants with application forms?
SWLA Tenant Referencing Service is an online service designed to be as simple and fast as possible.
For SWLA Next Day References, enter the name, date of birth, and addresses for each applicant, confirming consent obtained from the individual.
For Full Tenant References, initiate the application process and provide us with an email address for each tenant/guarantor.
We then send tenants a link to complete their application online. You can track the application status on the online tracker throughout the process.
If tenants don't have access to an email address, complete the application on their behalf.
Can I use SWLA Tenant Referencing Service for self-employed prospective tenants?
Self-employed applicants are fairly common. To pass a Full Tenant Reference without the support of a guarantor, they need to provide us with their accountant’s details for a reference/income confirmation. If they don't use an accountant, they must provide their self-assessment tax calculation and recent bank statements.
Can I reference an overseas prospective tenant?
Yes. Non-UK applicants need to provide proof of identity and, if outside the EU, proof of the right to reside/work in the UK. To pass without the support of a guarantor, they need to have a permanent employment contract and a UK bank account passing our validation test.
What if they are an overseas student?
Overseas students can't pass a check without the support of a UK Guarantor.
If this is not possible, we recommend the landlord check ID and proof of residency documents themselves and then decide whether they are willing to accept the risk.
When will you recommend a guarantor agreement is in place?
We will recommend a guarantor when:
- the applicant has insufficient income
- the applicant has credit history problems
- the applicant is unemployed or we are not satisfied with the status of their employer
- the applicant is self-employed and unable to provide acceptable proof of income
- we receive a negative reference from the current landlord
- the applicant is a student, unemployed, or on Housing Benefit
- the applicant’s history of residence or identity cannot be verified
- the application is considered generally weak for any other reason.
When will you recommend that the tenancy does not proceed?
We will decline an application when:
- the applicant has severe credit history problems
- the information on the application is found to be fraudulent
When will you decline a guarantor?
We will decline a guarantor when:
- negative credit history is located
- the guarantor has insufficient income
- the guarantor is employed on a temporary contract or casual employment
- the guarantor is self-employed and has no proof of address
- the guarantor's residency at their address cannot be verified
- the information on the application is found to be fraudulent
What support do I have?
SWLA Tenant Referencing Service has a dedicated client support team on hand to answer any questions you may have about tenant
checks in general or about a particular order.
T: 01227 250048
E: support@swlareferencing.co.uk