9 minute read
Key points
- North Point checks affordability before viewings, so you know early whether a room is realistic.
- The test is annual income of at least 30 times the monthly rent, so a £650 room needs £19,500 a year.
- Universal Credit and PIP count as income where your bank statements show them.
- A guarantor can be used, and the guarantor test is three times the annual rent.
- Every adult living in the room needs a Right to Rent check, British citizens included, and a credit check is not a substitute for it.
- Nothing is declined automatically, and nobody is refused because of children or benefits.
This guide is for anyone looking for a room in Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Hyde or the rest of Tameside, including first-time renters, people relocating for work and anyone caught out by referencing before. It explains each step in order, so you know what to prepare before you apply.
What is referencing to rent a room, and why do landlords do it?
Referencing to rent a room is a short set of checks a landlord or agent runs before offering you a tenancy. The aim is to confirm that you can afford the rent, that you are who you say you are and that you are legally allowed to rent. It protects you as well as the landlord, because it stops you taking on a rent you cannot sustain. The checks are broadly the same for a room in Hyde, Stalybridge or Ashton-under-Lyne, but each agent sets its own tests, so ask what they are across Tameside.
You should never pay for it. Referencing, credit check and administration charges are banned under the Tenant Fees Act, and North Point does its own referencing for nothing.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and is correct as of 28 October 2026. The Right to Rent rules come from the government's Right to Rent code of practice.
How does North Point's referencing work, step by step?
- Enquire. Tell us which room interests you and answer a few questions.
- Affordability check. Before any viewing, we check your income against the rent, so you know early whether a room is realistic.
- Viewing. We show every room ourselves.
- Application and Right to Rent. Photo ID and a Right to Rent check for every adult who will live there.
- Credit check. This comes last.
- Decision. A person at North Point decides.
- Sign online. Your first month's rent and deposit are only due once the digital tenancy agreement is signed.
There is no holding deposit and no tenant fee at any stage.
What is the affordability check when renting? The 30 times rent test
Our affordability check looks for annual income of at least 30 times the monthly rent. That is the same as 2.5 times the rent in every month of the year. Room rents in Tameside differ by house, so here is the maths for three typical rents.
| Monthly rent | Annual income needed (30 x rent) | Average per month over a year |
|---|---|---|
| £600 | £18,000 | £1,500 |
| £650 | £19,500 | £1,625 |
| £700 | £21,000 | £1,750 |
Worked example
Assume Sam's income is £1,400 a month, which is 1,400 x 12 = £16,800 a year. Dividing by 30 gives the highest rent that passes: 16,800 / 30 = £560. A £600 room does not pass on income alone, but a £560 room does. Sam could look at a lower rent, or add a guarantor.
What counts as income? Universal Credit and renting a room
We count the income you can show. If you are wondering about Universal Credit renting a room, the answer is that it counts.
- Employment. Your salary, shown by payslips and an employer reference.
- Self employment. If you are established, your accounts.
- Universal Credit. Counted where your bank statements show it.
- PIP. Personal Independence Payment is counted in the same way.
- Other regular income. Tell us about it when you apply and we will look at it.
As an example, assume Amira earns £14,400 a year part time and receives £4,800 a year in Universal Credit, shown on her bank statements. Her counted income is 14,400 + 4,800 = £19,200. That passes a £600 room, which needs £18,000, but falls £300 short of a £650 room, which needs £19,500.
Can a guarantor help you rent a room?
Yes. A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover the rent if you cannot. The North Point guarantor test is that their income should be at least three times the annual rent.
| Monthly rent | Annual rent | Guarantor income needed (3 x annual rent) |
|---|---|---|
| £600 | £7,200 | £21,600 |
| £650 | £7,800 | £23,400 |
| £700 | £8,400 | £25,200 |
Worked example
Assume your income is £15,000 and the room is £650 a month. You need 30 x 650 = £19,500, so you fall short. The annual rent is 650 x 12 = £7,800, and three times that is £23,400. A parent earning £26,000 meets the guarantor test, so the application can go ahead.
A guarantor is not bound by a rent rise unless it follows the proper Section 13 process. If a guarantor pays part of your deposit, they must also receive the deposit's prescribed information. Our guide to tenant rights in a house share explains both.
What is a Right to Rent check, and what do you need to show?
A Right to Rent check confirms that you have the right to rent in England. The check applies to every adult aged 18 or over who will live in the room as their main home, British citizens included. It is done the same way for everyone.
Three ways to do the check
- Original documents. We see your original documents with you present, such as a passport, and copy them. The government has lists of accepted documents.
- Home Office online check. You give a share code, and the landlord or agent runs the check. This is required for people with an eVisa.
- A digital provider. Since 1 October 2026, a check done through a Right to Rent digital provider only counts if the provider is on the government's OFDIA register.
If your right is time limited, the check is done within 28 days before the tenancy starts, and it is repeated before your right runs out. We keep dated copies for the length of the tenancy plus one year, then destroy them. See our privacy notice.
A credit check or an identity check is not a Right to Rent check. They are separate, and you need both.
What is the credit check, and why does it come last?
A credit check gives a picture of how you have handled credit and payments. We run it last so you do not go through it if an earlier step shows the room is not a fit. North Point pays for it, not you. If you know something on your record is likely to appear, tell us at the start.
What happens if you do not meet the test?
A person at North Point decides, and nothing is declined automatically. If the numbers fall short, we talk to you. Common options are:
- A guarantor. As in the example above.
- More evidence. Show other regular income we have not yet counted.
- A different room. A lower rent can pass where a higher one does not, and rents for rooms in Tameside house shares vary.
We cannot promise an outcome, but we will explain the reason. Our available rooms show each monthly price, so you can match one to your income.
Can you be refused because of children or benefits?
No. We welcome all applicants and check affordability the same way for everyone. A landlord must not make you less likely to rent, or stop you renting, because you have children or receive benefits. The Equality Act 2010 also covers sex, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity. If you need an adjustment because of a disability, tell us.
How to make your application smooth: a checklist
- Photo ID. Have your passport or other original documents ready.
- Right to Rent. If you have an eVisa, generate your share code in advance.
- Income proof. Recent payslips or accounts, and bank statements showing any Universal Credit or PIP.
- Guarantor. If you may need one, ask them early and check their income against the table.
- Honest answers. False or misleading information can cost you the room.
- Questions. Ask us before you apply, not after.
Terms in plain English
- Affordability check. Comparing your income with the rent.
- Guarantor. Someone who covers the rent if you cannot.
- Right to Rent. The legal check that you may rent in England.
If you are looking in Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Hyde or elsewhere in Tameside, see our available rooms. Our guide to room rental costs explains what you will pay once you are approved.
