Skip to content
FigurePath

What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Property?

To rent a home you usually need four things: proof of your right to rent (in England only), proof of income such as recent payslips or bank statements, references from your employer and your current or previous landlord, and your permission for a credit check. If you are self-employed, add your SA302 tax calculations. If you need a guarantor, they will be asked for proof of income and a credit check too.

Having these ready before you view can help you rent more quickly. The checklist below applies to England. Where Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland differ, we say so.

ID and right to rent (England only)

In England, landlords must check that every tenant aged 18 or over has the right to rent before the tenancy starts. This applies even to adults not named on the agreement. You do not need to prove your right to rent in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

  • British or Irish citizens can show a British passport or an Irish passport or passport card (current or expired), or a certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen. Other documents may work if you have none of these.
  • Everyone else can use a share code or their original immigration documents. You can choose which. A landlord cannot reject you for giving an eligible document instead of a share code.

Some landlords let you prove your identity online through an identity service provider instead. For who must be checked and what happens if you cannot prove it, see right to rent checks explained.

Proof of income

Landlords and agents usually check you can afford the rent. Shelter says they might ask to see:

  • an employment contract or a letter from your employer
  • recent payslips or bank statements
  • proof of benefits

Citizens Advice suggests covering your account numbers when you hand over bank statements.

If you are self-employed, you may be asked for your SA302 tax calculations. HMRC says you can get them for each of the last 4 years once you have sent your Self Assessment tax return. You can also get a tax year overview. You can print both from your HMRC online account, or from your tax software, but not until 72 hours after you send your return. Citizens Advice adds that you might also need your trading accounts and a reference from your accountant.

How agents turn these figures into a pass or fail is covered in how letting agents calculate rent affordability.

References and credit checks

You will usually be asked for references from:

  • your employer, to show you have a job and that it will continue
  • your current and previous landlords, which Citizens Advice says is usual if you rent through a letting agent

If you cannot get a landlord reference, Citizens Advice suggests showing an old tenancy agreement with a rent book or bank statements, or asking for a character reference.

A landlord or agent can only run a credit check with your permission. In England, Shelter says landlords and agents can only do a soft search, and it does not affect your credit score. Credit checks search the electoral roll, so register to vote at your current address first. Landlords and agents in England cannot charge you for credit or reference checks.

References can be the slowest part. See how long tenant referencing takes.

Guarantor documents

If you do not pass the income, credit or reference checks, you could offer a guarantor. Shelter says the landlord or agent usually checks your guarantor’s income and credit history. Some ask for a guarantor who owns their home. So your guarantor should expect to give proof of income and agree to a credit check.

Your guarantor will sign a guarantor agreement. This is a legal document. They should get copies of both that agreement and your tenancy agreement, and read both before signing. In England, the landlord or agent cannot charge extra fees because you need a guarantor. See renting with a guarantor.

Your checklist

Document Who usually needs it Tip
Passport, citizenship certificate or share code Every adult tenant, England only Expired British or Irish passports count
Recent payslips or employer letter Employed renters Contract or letter if you have just started
Bank statements Most renters Cover your account numbers
SA302s and tax year overviews Self-employed renters Print from 72 hours after filing
Proof of benefits If benefits are part of your income Landlords should not refuse you for claiming benefits
Employer reference Employed renters Give your HR contact early
Landlord reference Anyone who has rented before Rent records can help if none
Credit check consent Most applicants Register to vote at your address
Guarantor’s income proof and consent Only if a guarantor is needed They sign a written agreement

Only hand over what is needed

Under UK GDPR, organisations must only collect the personal data they need for their purpose. The ICO says personal data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary. So an agent should be able to say why they want each document. If a request seems excessive, ask what it is for. Citizens Advice also suggests getting the landlord’s or agent’s name and contact details before you send any documents.

Worked example (fictional)

Ayo is a self-employed photographer applying for a flat. Ayo filed last year’s tax return online on 1 October, so the latest SA302 can be printed from 4 October, 72 hours later.

Ayo’s SA302s show profits of £28,400 and £33,600 for the last two years. Together that is £62,000, an average of £31,000 a year, or £2,583.33 a month. Ayo uses that average to check which rents look realistic, then sends:

  • a current passport for the right to rent check
  • both SA302s and tax year overviews
  • three months of bank statements with account numbers covered
  • a reference from their accountant and one from their last landlord
  • signed consent for a credit check

Check what income you need

Use the income required to rent calculator to see what yearly income a landlord may expect for the rent you are looking at, before you gather your documents.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Report a possible error.