Tenant Referencing Criteria

Applicants must be employed for the duration of the tenancy or a future employment reference will be required.
Applicants on low incomes (monthly rent x 30) will require a guarantor.
If all applicants incomes, single or combined, are below the monthly rent x 30, a guarantor will be required.
Vouch will contact your current employer and ask the following questions:

We require proof of the last year’s submitted tax returns.
If the applicant has an accountant, we’ll need to obtain a reference from them. We also need to confirm they do act as an accountant, how long for, and the last year’s net profit.
If the applicant self-assesses, we’ll accept the last year’s authenticated SA302s/SA100s (HM Revenue & Customs self-assessment forms).

Unemployed applicants will always require a guarantor.
We recommend that Housing Benefit, or local Housing Allowance, received is at least 85% of the applicant’s share of the rent.

UK students require a guarantor.
International students sponsored by their Government don’t require a guarantor if they can provide proof of sponsorship, and the annual amount is at least the monthly rent x 30.

We can accept Disability Living Allowance.
We can’t accept Incapacity Benefit if it’s short-term.
We can accept both Working and Child Tax Credits. However, we don’t accept the childcare element as this is for childcare purposes only.
We can accept Child Benefit.
We can accept long-term Incapacity Benefit.
Carers’ and Foster Carers’ Allowance will be assessed on an individual basis.

We require the applicant’s annual pension statement, last three months’ bank statements, a reference from their pension administrator, or a P60.

We require the last month’s UK bank statements, showing savings of at least three times the rent for the term of the tenancy. Any other type of savings will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Vouch will contact the applicant’s current landlord and ask the following questions:

If the applicant’s accommodation is tied with their employment, and their employer confirms this, a landlord reference isn’t required.

Applicants paying the full rent in advance aren’t eligible for Rent Guarantee cover. Applicants paying part of the rent in advance can be considered upon application.
We don’t require a reference from the applicant’s financial referee.
Adverse credit history (CCJs, bankruptcies, etc.) can be overridden, depending on circumstances.
We still require a landlord or managing/letting agent reference if the applicant is a private tenant, which must be satisfactory.