Choosing a tenant is a decision about a real household, not an exercise in guessing who will stay longest. This archive guide has been rebuilt and reviewed on 16 October 2026 to focus on a fair, documented application process in England.
Apply the same relevant criteria
Government guidance prohibits making it harder for someone to rent a covered assured tenancy because they have children or receive benefits. The rules also cover agents and referencing services acting for a landlord, with specified exceptions and separate guidance for other UK nations.
Use relevant, clearly stated criteria and assess the actual information supplied. Do not substitute assumptions about family circumstances, nationality or appearance for a proper assessment. The Home Office’s right-to-rent code separately explains how to carry out those checks without unlawful discrimination.
Make the process understandable
Write down the stages of an application before advertising. Identify what information is needed, why it is needed and how it should be submitted securely. Ask your agent or referencing provider to explain their assessment method and how an applicant can correct an error.
Keep communications consistent. Offer a workable route for questions and explain what happens next. If information is missing, distinguish that from an adverse finding. Record the relevant reason for a decision rather than relying on a vague impression from a meeting or an automated score that nobody has explained.
Plan for the tenancy itself
Discuss practical matters such as the proposed move-in arrangements, reporting repairs and the property’s facilities. Confirm agreed details in writing. These conversations help establish expectations; they do not guarantee a particular length of stay or remove either party’s legal rights.
Review the application process periodically with a suitably qualified adviser, especially when legislation or provider procedures change. A long-term approach means maintaining a fair process and a well-managed home, rather than seeking assurances that a tenant will never experience a change in circumstances. This checklist does not decide any individual application.