Government rejects Labour MP’s call for landlords to be required to provide tenant references
The government has confirmed landlords will not be required to provide tenant references after a Labour MP demanded it be made a statutory duty.
In a written question to the Housing, Communities and Local Government, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan asked whether there were any “potential merits of making it a statutory duty for landlords to provide tenant references when requested.”
Many landlords ask for a reference check from tenants before they can rent a property, and tenants can request a previous landlord reference, but this is not compulsory.
Government has no plans to introduce a statutory duty for landlords to provide tenants’ references
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “Where a landlord has requested a reference from a previous landlord and is unable to obtain this, we encourage landlords to make use of other available referencing criteria to give them and the tenant the confidence that the tenancy is suitable.
“This is already common practice for tenants renting for the first time or those from abroad. Local authorities may also offer guarantee schemes or assistance with rent payments to help people on low incomes or at risk of homelessness to secure a property when they may otherwise struggle to do so.
“The government has no plans to introduce a statutory duty for landlords to provide tenants’ references when requested.”
The news comes after a referencing platform warns landlords will scrutinise tenant applications more carefully due to the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Canopy says whilst the reforms are designed to make renting fairer, it could cause confusion and dispute as landlords and renters adjust to the changes.
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Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 174
7:04 AM, 21st October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Steve A at 20/10/2025 – 21:32
How do they know if utility bills remain unpaid? Utility companies don’t give out that information because of data protection.
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 174
7:10 AM, 21st October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 20/10/2025 – 14:28
I find this strange. I have been a landlord for 25 years with my current properties and I am rarely asked for a reference when my tenants leave. I have always wondered if some reference agencies don’t bother contacting landlords for references but they tick the box to say they have.
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 15
7:52 AM, 21st October 2025, About 6 months ago
I had a letting agent do a check in report very detailed 50 pages of photographic evidence on the day the tenant was renewing i asked him to send me photos of any visible damage which he did., before i had chance to even book a inspection the letting agent signed a reference they were good tenants needless to say as the fixed term was ending the tenants had what they needed and left i sued him and he settled before the day in court for £3,500 his defence all along was he didn’t do check out reports he didn’t manage properties on and he thought the damage was from a leak i was responsible for yes bad letting agent bad tenants i should have inspected more often than once a year lesson learnt the hard way. I would never go through the deposit scheme either i would just go to the courts because the alternative is stacked for tenants everybody knows that.
Member Since February 2025 - Comments: 10
9:37 AM, 21st October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Annie Ivanova at 20/10/2025 – 16:52
Too right Annie. Insurance databases ensure lower risk for companies on histories of how that individual drives and looks after their car etc. We as Landlords should have similar data to refer to on prospective tenant history. I am amazed at some estate agents ” they are ok tenants” after their ‘ checks’ when they are not after they move in.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 59
7:28 AM, 23rd October 2025, About 6 months ago
After seeing who is asking for it – (Rosena Allin-Khan). I realised this is from a take take take community.
Labour’s alarm bells should have been ringing but no.
Well, the government days are numbered. The country will just have to wait and see what more damage will be done before they go.
Oh wait! November storm (budget) is coming.
I, like 10000s other landlords are now done. I will not be renting my house to a new tenant anymore. I guess my property will go to a migrant who has done well in his business (by not paying taxes). Good bye housing
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
9:23 AM, 23rd October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Slooky at 21/10/2025 – 07:04
prepayment meters show the credit/debt status.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
9:27 AM, 23rd October 2025, About 6 months ago
well I for one ask for refences, and in doing so one of the following happens…
1. T provides one and I fully check up on this/follow it up.
2. The request alone for a reference results in the tenant not replying – they clearly have something to hide/don’t expect a positive one. The application is not progressed.
ALWAYS ask for one, those who have nothing to hide will provide one, and those who do filter themselves out.
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 174
3:00 PM, 23rd October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 23/10/2025 – 09:23
AHH. Thank you. It makes you wonder why the utility company’s don’t share that information with landlords when a tenant leaves if it’s visible on a payment meter.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1435 - Articles: 1
9:41 AM, 25th October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Annie Ivanova at 20/10/2025 – 16:52
It was already discussed and decided that no Renters database would be compiled and published as would only contain tenants that had not paid their rents, had trashed the property, were abusive both verbally and physically, exhibited anti social behaviour etc etc.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
11:31 AM, 25th October 2025, About 6 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 25/10/2025 – 09:41
There was a nascent ‘bad tenants’ database some years back but I can’t remember the name. I did add 3 tenants to it, and had high hopes it would develop, but it just disappeared. I seem to recall some discussion around being able to prove the published details, but I always maintained my tenants were on there for the reasons stated, and I could prove it if challenged.