Finding and referencing a tenant shouldn't just be based on a friendly first impression or a quick credit check. It requires real, verifiable proof that the person moving into your property can afford it, will pay on time and is exactly who they say they are.
Why referencing matters more than ever
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has changed the sector for landlords but has also brought about opportunity. Since its initial reforms took effect on 1st May 2026, Section 21 \"no-fault\" evictions have been abolished, fixed-term tenancies have converted to periodic agreements and landlords can only end a tenancy by proving a valid statutory ground.
In practice, the ability to serve notice and bring a tenancy to an end without a specific reason no longer exists, something some landlords used to rely on as a backup option. If a tenant stops paying rent or causes issues, ending the tenancy is now an evidence-led process through the courts rather than a straightforward notice period.
This makes getting the right tenant in from day one far more important, with referencing not just a box to tick, but the main safeguard landlords should use to protect their investment.
How we reference at DJ Alexander
Having a partnership with Goodlord allows us to reference tenants using 'Trusted Sources', a secure verification system that connects directly to a tenant's bank, payroll provider, or HMRC record to confirm their income, savings, pensions, or benefits.
There are three routes to verification, and most tenants will use whichever fits their circumstances:
Because the data comes straight from the source, there's nothing to hide and nothing to misplace. It's also more private for tenants than how things were typically done previously, as these connections are built on data minimisation, meaning we only ever see the income information needed to complete the reference, never a full bank statement or unnecessary personal details.
Why this matters for you as a landlord
Faster references.
What used to take days chasing documents now happens in minutes, meaning less time with your property sitting empty between tenancies.
Stronger fraud protection.
Source-verified data is far harder to falsify than a scanned payslip, giving you more confidence in who you're letting to.
Less admin, fewer delays.
No chasing tenants for missing documents or waiting on a third party to verify them manually. Verification happens automatically.
Greater peace of mind.
Wherever the data exists, we verify it at source, with confirmation direct from a bank, payroll provider or HMRC rather than relying on what’s been declared.
Why using a managing agent makes the difference
If you're managing a let yourself, this process can be hard to replicate. Access to secure, bank-grade verification tools, the systems to run them properly and the experience to know what a strong reference looks like is what a managing agent can provide to you.
Referencing is often where the security of a tenancy is decided long before a tenant ever collects their keys. Doing this right protects your rental income, reduces the risk of arrears, and gives you the confidence to move forward quickly with a tenant you can trust.
The benefit of having a managing agent in your corner is not just finding a tenant, but proving they're the right one quickly, securely and with evidence you can rely on.
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