Rental history

Rental history is the record of a prospective or existing tenant's past behaviour as a renter. It typically covers whether they paid rent on time, how they maintained previous properties, whether any tenancy deposits were disputed, and whether any eviction proceedings were brought against them. For landlords, reviewing rental history is one of the most reliable indicators of how a tenant is likely to behave in a new tenancy.

Rental history is usually gathered as part of tenant vetting, alongside employment references, credit checks, and identity verification. A reference check from a previous landlord or managing agent is the most direct way to verify rental history. Landlords should ask specifically about rent arrears, late rent, property condition at the end of the tenancy, and whether the previous landlord would let to the applicant again.

Where a tenant has no rental history, for example a first-time renter or someone who has previously lived with family, landlords may wish to request a guarantor or consider rent in advance as a way of managing the additional risk. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the amount of permitted payments a landlord may request is strictly capped, so it is important to understand what can and cannot be asked for at the outset.

Under the Renters' Rights Act, which takes effect from 1 May 2026, the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and Section 21means landlords will have less flexibility to end tenancies without demonstrating a valid ground. This makes thorough upfront vetting, including a careful review of rental history, more important than ever. A tenant with a strong rental history and no record of rent arrears or deposit deductions represents considerably lower risk in a legal environment where recovering possession through Section 8 is the primary route available.

Landlords should keep their own records of tenant conduct throughout a tenancy, including check-in reports, property inspections, and check-out reports. These form part of a landlord's own rental history record and may be requested by future landlords conducting reference checks.

Also see our landlord blog articles.