Cheapest tenant referencing in the UK (2026)
“Cheapest” shouldn't mean skipping the checks that protect you. The cheapest credibleway to reference a tenant in the UK is to collect their application for free, then pay only for the formal checks you actually need — rather than a monthly subscription or an agent package. This guide compares the options by price, what each one checks, and whether you need an account.
Tenant referencing cost comparison
The table below groups the main ways UK landlords reference tenants, from free DIY to agent-backed services. Prices are indicative and for comparison only — always confirm current pricing with each provider.
| Option | Account / subscription? | What it checks | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY — phone the employer and previous landlord yourselfManual, do it yourself | None | Only what you gather; no formal credit data | £0 + your time |
| Standalone credit checkOnline credit + ID snapshot | Usually an account | Credit history, basic identity | ~£10–£20 |
| Pay-per-check referencing (e.g. RentFig)Full checks, pay per use | No account or subscription | ID, credit, income, Right to Rent, anti-fraud | £9 credit / £19 full |
| Free landlord portals (e.g. OpenRent, 99home)Referencing alongside listings | Account; sometimes tied to a paid listing | Varies by provider | Free entry to ~£20 |
| Agent / insurance-backed (e.g. Goodlord, HomeLet, RentProfile)Insurable references, often via a letting agent | Often agent or subscription | Comprehensive + an insurable decision | ~£20–£50+ |
Indicative prices for general comparison only; confirm current pricing with each provider. RentFig prices as of June 2026.
Credit check vs full reference — where the cost goes
A credit-only checkis the cheapest formal filter: it confirms identity and pulls a credit and adverse-credit history (CCJs, defaults, bankruptcies), usually for £10–£20. A full referenceadds income and affordability verification, employer and previous-landlord references, a Right to Rent check (England) and anti-fraud verification, and typically costs £25–£50. Most credit checks use a soft “quotation” search, so they don't affect the tenant's credit score.
A sensible low-cost workflow is to run a credit check first as a quick filter, then a full reference only on the applicant you intend to proceed with. RentFig prices these at £9 for a credit check and £19 for a full reference(disclosure: RentFig is our product), with no subscription — you can collect the application for free and only pay if you run a check.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019: the landlord pays
In England you cannot pass referencing costs on to the tenant — charging a tenant for a reference is a banned fee under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. The cost sits with the landlord or agent, which is precisely why the per-check price matters: it's money out of your pocket on every applicant you check.
How to keep referencing cheap without cutting corners
- Use a free application form to collect details, employment and consent before you pay for anything.
- Run a credit-only check first as a cheap filter; reserve the full reference for the applicant you actually want.
- Choose pay-per-check over a subscriptionunless you reference tenants every month — a monthly fee rarely pays off for a handful of lets a year.
- Ask the tenant to brief their employer and previous landlordin advance — faster references mean fewer re-runs.
- Always get the tenant's written consent before a credit check; a good tool collects this for you.
FAQ
What is the cheapest tenant referencing in the UK?
The cheapest credible option is a pay-per-check service rather than a monthly subscription or an agent package. A standalone credit check is the lowest-cost filter (typically £10–£20, or £9 with RentFig), and a full reference covering income, Right to Rent and anti-fraud is usually £25–£50 (£19 with RentFig). Collecting the tenant's application is often free.
Is free tenant referencing any good?
A free application form is genuinely useful for collecting a tenant's details, employment and consent. But a free service rarely includes a real credit, income and fraud check — those have a cost the provider has to recover somewhere. The cheapest sound approach is a free application form plus a low-cost pay-per-check, so you only pay for the formal checks you actually need.
Can I charge the tenant for referencing?
No. In England, charging a tenant for referencing is a banned fee under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. The landlord or agent must cover the cost of the check, which is exactly why a low per-check price matters.
Do I need a subscription to reference a tenant?
No. Some platforms bundle referencing into a monthly subscription or only offer it through a letting agent, but pay-per-check services let you run a single reference with no ongoing commitment. RentFig, for example, charges per check (£9 credit / £19 full) with no subscription or account.
How much should a full tenant reference cost?
Across the UK a full tenant reference — identity, credit, income and affordability, Right to Rent and anti-fraud — typically costs £25–£50. A credit-only check is cheaper at around £10–£20. Anything described as a more comprehensive package (criminal record, multi-year history) tends to sit at the top of that range.
Disclaimer:This guide is general information for UK landlords, not legal or financial advice. Prices are indicative and change — confirm current pricing with each provider and check the latest GOV.UK guidance on the Tenant Fees Act before acting.