Portable tenant screening report (PTSR)
A standardised tenant referencing report that a prospective tenant obtains once and can share with multiple landlords or letting agents, rather than each party commissioning separate checks.
What a portable tenant screening report is
A portable tenant screening report (PTSR) is a single set of tenant referencing checks that the applicant requests and controls, rather than each landlord or agent commissioning their own. The report typically contains identity verification, a credit check, employment or income verification, and previous landlord references — the same elements covered in a standard reference check. Because the applicant holds the report, they can present it to as many prospective landlords as they choose during an active search without paying for the same checks repeatedly.
Where the concept comes from
The PTSR model originated in the United States, where it was introduced by several states to reduce the cost and friction of renting. In the UK context, the term has begun appearing in discussions around the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and calls for a more tenant-friendly referencing process. While the UK does not yet have a statutory portable screening report regime comparable to some US states, tenant-controlled referencing products are available from a small number of providers and the concept is gaining traction in policy discussions. Our tenant referencing guide notes that tenant passports and shared referencing reports are already emerging in the UK market.
How to get a portable tenant screening report
In the UK, a prospective tenant seeking a portable referencing report would approach a specialist referencing provider or credit agency that offers a tenant-facing product. The applicant pays for the checks once, receives a report they own, and shares a copy with each prospective landlord. Landlords receiving a PTSR should check when the report was produced, which provider completed the checks, and whether the checks meet their own referencing standards, since not all products include the same depth of verification. The holding deposit period — typically up to 15 days — gives landlords time to review a PTSR and request any supplementary information before committing.
Should landlords accept a PTSR?
Landlords are not currently required to accept a PTSR in place of their own referencing. If you do choose to accept one, satisfy yourself that the report was produced by a reputable provider, that income and employment figures are recent, and that any credit issues are explained. For higher-value or longer-term tenancies, independent verification may still be warranted. Whatever approach you take, decisions must be based on objective criteria — under the Renters' Rights Act, landlords cannot reject applicants based on their benefit status or family circumstances.
Also see: Tenant referencing · Reference checks · Guarantor · Renters' Rights Act · DSS tenant · Free landlord resources and templates
