Who it's for
- Private landlords in England who do their own tenant referencing
- Small agents who want a consistent reference form
- Landlords checking a guarantor or an applicant with a short rental history
What's included
- About this template — consent and a privacy notice before referencing, the ban on charging tenants for references, and the anti-discrimination rules
- Right to rent — three methods table: manual document check, share code and certified identity service provider
- Complete screening table: reference, credit check, income, right to rent, tenancy history and CCJs, with typical costs
- Reference request letter and form — 16 questions covering tenancy dates, rent, arrears, condition, deductions, complaints, notice, court action and whether they would let again
- Signature, organisation and return details
Save with a bundle: get this plus 20 more documents in the Landlord Complete Bundle for £49.99.
See what's in the bundle →Key points covered
- Get the applicant's written consent and give a brief privacy notice before contacting referees
- Charging a tenant for referencing is prohibited under the Tenant Fees Act 2019
- From 1 May 2026 it is unlawful to refuse a tenant because they have children or receive benefits
- A scanned passport sent by email or WhatsApp is not a right to rent check
- Right to rent civil penalties are up to £10,000 per occupier for a first breach and £20,000 for repeat breaches
- Referees do not have to reply — a vague or missing answer is itself information
DocPilot templates are drafted from current legislation and official guidance (GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and the relevant regulators), checked against those sources and fully re-reviewed every six months. They are not legal advice. How we make our documents →
Read the guide
Related documents
Guarantor Agreement (Deed)£14.99 · See what's included →Assured Periodic Tenancy Agreement£19.99 · See what's included →Tenant Welcome Pack£11.99 · See what's included →
Questions
Do I need the tenant's consent?
Yes. Get written consent before you ask for references, and give a short privacy notice explaining how you will use the information.
Can I charge the applicant for referencing?
No. Referencing fees are banned under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Does the form cover right to rent?
The guidance explains the three check methods, but the check itself is separate. Record it properly — a scan sent by email is not enough.
Is it in the Landlord Complete Bundle?
Yes. The Landlord Reference Request Form is one of the 21 documents in the bundle.
Landlord Reference Request Form
£9.99 · Word + PDF · instant download
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