Rent guarantor demands rise among landlords
4 months ago
Government urges landlords to adopt alternative referencing methods as checks tighten
9:00 AM, 27th July 2026, 6 days ago
15
Categories:
The government has encouraged landlords to use other available referencing criteria to give them confidence the tenancy is suitable.
In a written parliamentary answer, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook encouraged landlords to use alternative referencing where a previous landlord reference is unavailable, following concerns over landlords not providing a tenancy reference until a tenant has served notice on their existing tenancy.
The news comes as landlords are tightening referencing checks due to the Renters’ Rights Act.
Encourage landlords to make use of available referencing
In a written parliamentary question, Labour MP Beccy Cooper asked: “What assessment has the government made of the potential impact on private renters of letting agents and landlords declining to provide tenancy references until a tenant has served notice on their existing tenancy”.
In response, Mr 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.”
Landlords more cautious
As previously reported by Property118, landlords have become more cautious following the act coming into force in May and have tightened referencing checks.
Ben Grech, CEO of Reposit, said: “We know that landlords are becoming increasingly risk-averse, placing greater emphasis on financial security and tenant reliability.
“While there are early signs that arrears are beginning to stabilise, they remain slightly elevated as both landlords and tenants continue to feel the impact of sustained cost pressures.
“With the Renters’ Rights Act now in place and the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, landlords are understandably becoming more cautious, given the reduced flexibility in how they manage tenancies.”
Tags:
landlord referencing, Matthew Pennycook, tenant referencing checks, tenant referencing Renters' Rights Act
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 21
9:42 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
I’ve recently mandated a visual inspection of any prospective tenants current property. If it’s fair for them to view and assess my property before agreeing, then it’s fair for me to inspect how they’ve treated their current property. It avoids the risk of taking a reference from an existing landlord who may provide a false positive reference (in order to offload a bad tenant onto me), while ensuring that I have personally validated their photo ID with a real person.
I realise that this isn’t feasible for all landlords, but as a small landlord with most of his wealth in a couple of properties, this is well worth it.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3672 - Articles: 5
9:49 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
Why would it even be considered a question to ask if the government needed to assess this? What would be the point? Why would a LL need to give a reference for a tenant that has not given notice yet?
Its like asking an employer to provide a reference to an employee that has not given notice to leave.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2278
9:53 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
Reply to the comment left by M K at 27/07/2026 – 09:42
It is a sensible thing to do and there is no law stopping you from doing it; as long as you do it to all tenants, or at least say that all tenants may be subject to a visit of their current property – otherwise you would be discriminating and that could be problematic because the Labour Renters Rights Act says that you cannot discriminate against benefits tenants.
Member Since November 2020 - Comments: 55
9:55 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
Seriously, who would give a dishonest reference to get rid of a bad tenant ? I would never give a reference to a less than perfect tenant. Mind you I would never again take a less than perfect tenant 🙂
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 86
9:55 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
That is a great idea. It would give real insight into how they look after a property. My guess is that very few tenants will agree. Some move for jobs, study etc but there are a large number who takes a property, treat it badly, run up arrears and move on. Perhaps there should be a renters database to protect landlords from bad tenants if Andy Pandy really wants to be fair with the sector.
Member Since November 2019 - Comments: 182
10:20 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
A number of Surveys have indicated there are 700 Rental Properties being lost a day.
What a Surprise Less than Perfect Tenants cannot find anywhere to rent .
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 86
10:27 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Northernpleb at 27/07/2026 – 10:20
It’s ok …the government has a plan. They want landlords to be more flexible in who they take even though they have removed all the protection and massively increased both the cost and the risk
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 517
10:36 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
What alternatives exactly Mr. Pennycook? In fact why would a good landlord give a reference until the tenant has left the property unless they have been a model tenant for years .As it stands though any landlord reference is worthless.
It does surprise me that this government is not forcing landlords to give references before tenants serve notice.
As for a rogue tenant database a lot will be caught on Section 8.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1644
10:53 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
Here’s an idea.
The government could make it easier for landlords to evict bad tenants. Something like, miss one rent payment by two weeks and you must return the keys, or
Maybe the government would like to be the guarantor.
When we have millions of council houses, the council tenants won’t bother paying.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2279 - Articles: 2
10:55 AM, 27th July 2026, About 6 days ago
I would invite Mr Pennycook to join Generation Rent and Shelter in Cloud Cuckoo Land.