Can you employer give you a reference for renting?

[letsjustgosomewhere]

I know there is a difference between a guarantor and some one providing you with a reference when you are looking to rent a property to live in. Can your employer act as your referee or witness when you sign the tenancy document and can they do it if they’ve only known you for let’s say a month?

Will you always need a reference for renting?

Your employer would generally confirm that you were employed by the company to prove that you had a job. Although, I don't know whether they would have to state if you hadn't been there for long. Probably.

If your going through an agent they would want a reference from your previous landlord or if the property was managed, the last agent that managed it. They will just want confirm your employment details I.e. that it's permanent and your salary.

You don't need anyone to co-sign your tenancy unless you need a guarantor and that's an entirely different thing.

It's also worth mentioning most modern letting agents hire a third party company to do the above checks so won't actually be doing it themselves.

@UserTwice

Your employer would generally confirm that you were employed by the company to prove that you had a job. Although, I don't know whether they would have to state if you hadn't been there for long. Probably.

Most likely yes they would, it depends on the referencing company the agent use but usually because the OP hasn't been at their job for long they'd ask for a guarantor.

@RaeRaeMama

If your going through an agent they would want a reference from your previous landlord or if the property was managed, the last agent that managed it. They will just want confirm your employment details I.e. that it's permanent and your salary.

You don't need anyone to co-sign your tenancy unless you need a guarantor and that's an entirely different thing.

It's also worth mentioning most modern letting agents hire a third party company to do the above checks so won't actually be doing it themselves.

This would be the first property I would be renting on my own, I’ve been living with my mum for the past years, would that just be writing to my employer to check I’m employed with a salary in this case? I don’t need a witness to sign my tenancy agreement as well?

Are you sure they want a guarantor as well? What if my employment contract was permanent but I had just started like a month ago for example?

I've signed them for staff at work, generally it's start date, permanent/temporary contract (in which case end date|) salary.

If you need a guarantor, that's a whole different issue, no employer will do that as if you fail to pay, they would be liable.

If you are still in your probation period, that might be an issue too.

@murasaki

If you are still in your probation period, that might be an issue too.

From what recall, when I asked a renting company, they said they would either ask my previous landlord for a reference but if I didn’t have one, they would check with my employer I can pay the rent. They said a guarantor is usually only needed when self employed. Not sure if I was on a permanent contract, but just started a month ago, that my employer couldn’t give me a reference?

I’ve heard about some places needing a witness when you sign the tenancy agreement, that must be what you signed, but does it matter if you had only known me for a month?

I'm a landlord who lets via a letting agency. My experience is that first there'll be a financial and background check on the prospective tenant. As mentioned above, your employer would be asked to confirm your employment details and salary. The check would also seek a reference from your previous landlord. They'd be asked to confirm that you paid your rent on time/didn't leave owing money/didn't trash the property. If you've only ever lived with your mum, I'd guess they'd skip that bit!

If there was an issue that came back as a result of the financial checks (i.e. they weren't sure it was certain that you could cover the rent), then you might be asked for a guarantor. A guarantor signs a legal undertaking to cover your rent if you can't, so it's a major financial responsibility. Typically only a close family member might be willing to act as a guarantor.

With regard to the actual tenancy agreement, they don't need witnessing. You may find the whole signing process is done online, which speeds things up a treat.

Also, what’s a probation period? I don’t have a criminal record

@NeverEnoughCake2

I'm a landlord who lets via a letting agency. My experience is that first there'll be a financial and background check on the prospective tenant. As mentioned above, your employer would be asked to confirm your employment details and salary. The check would also seek a reference from your previous landlord. They'd be asked to confirm that you paid your rent on time/didn't leave owing money/didn't trash the property. If you've only ever lived with your mum, I'd guess they'd skip that bit!

If there was an issue that came back as a result of the financial checks (i.e. they weren't sure it was certain that you could cover the rent), then you might be asked for a guarantor. A guarantor signs a legal undertaking to cover your rent if you can't, so it's a major financial responsibility. Typically only a close family member might be willing to act as a guarantor.

With regard to the actual tenancy agreement, they don't need witnessing. You may find the whole signing process is done online, which speeds things up a treat.

Thanks for this, very useful. I just read some people were asked for a witness for the tenancy agreement when renting for 2-3 years. And some places just want one anyway? That’s what made me ask about this.

Yes. Generally employers are contacted to give references and you have to give proof of salary in order to rent a place.

@Maggiesfarm

Yes. Generally employers are contacted to give references and you have to give proof of salary in order to rent a place.

Does it matter if your employer only knew you for a month before you start trying to rent?

@letsjustgosomewhere

Also, what’s a probation period? I don’t have a criminal record

Probation in this case is a trial period when someone starts a new job, for the employer to see how they do before deciding whether to make it official.

I see. I would hope to secure a more permanent contract but I can see what you mean if you’re in that phase, like your employer might decide not to fully hire you. Thanks for explaining.

You’re welcome. It’s standard practice in a lot of workplaces, I think.

@EmpressWitchDoesntBurn

You’re welcome. It’s standard practice in a lot of workplaces, I think.

I didn’t know this. How long do the trials normally last for?

The agent will need to specify if you are in a probation period. (Check your contract it will be mentioned) if you are the agency might ask for a guarantor. I've asked employers to say I'm not previously and I've said no in ones I have completed even if they are because at the end of the day, if you aren't gonna pay the rent being in probation or not makes not difference

@letsjustgosomewhere

Are you sure they want a guarantor as well? What if my employment contract was permanent but I had just started like a month ago for example?

If you have a bf credit score they may ask for a guarantor. They will email your employer if they need proof of employment.

They would have also told you if you need a guarantor, the guarantor would have to pass a credit check, and pay your rent if you fail to pay it

Varies with each company, usually between 3 and 6 months. It will be in your employment contract

@HalzTangz

Varies with each company, usually between 3 and 6 months. It will be in your employment contract

Thanks for sharing. How common are probation periods; like should I expect one to be with every job?

I honestly wouldn’t worry about this too much. The hardest part of getting a job is being offered it in the first place.

@EmpressWitchDoesntBurn

I honestly wouldn’t worry about this too much. The hardest part of getting a job is being offered it in the first place.

The thing I’m worried about is I live in a small town and looking for work in the nearest city as there are more vacancies. Sure I can travel though would cost me a lot, it’s manageable but I would have to cope for 6 months if that’s how long probation work is, when I really want to get away from the stressful environment I live in as soon as possible :(

That sounds tough .

There’s some stuff on this website about how probation periods usually work & your rights. www.jobsite.co.uk/advice/what-is-a-probation-period

I’ve just completed my probation and that was 6 months.