# Affordability failed for tenant but wantedx me to add his wife **URL:** \ **Category:** Landlord Discussion\ **Created:** [3 May 2026 19:52 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500 "2026-05-03T19:52:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Liz24](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/liz24/32/26149_2.png) [@Liz24](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Liz24)\ **Post date:** [3 May 2026 19:52 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500/1 "2026-05-03T19:52:18Z")
I paid to have the referencing done on a tenant and has failed affordability. I told him and he said I should have added his wife details also. I added the wife’s details but it’s asking for another £30 to complete with the referencing. Is this correct that you pay for each person ? I am Very new to this landlord stuff ! ---
**Author:** ![Colin3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/colin3/32/450_2.png) [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)\ **Post date:** [3 May 2026 19:53 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500/2 "2026-05-03T19:53:48Z")
You pay for each person . What if she stops work? NEW? Join a landlords association right away ---
**Author:** ![David240](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/david240/32/29827_2.png) [@David240](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David240)\ **Post date:** [3 May 2026 20:53 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500/3 "2026-05-03T20:53:24Z")
@Liz24 You are paying for a new ref report based on their combined income instead of just his. If you needed a new report based on 5 adults it would also be the cost of 1 referencing report if he cant afford on his own and didn’t tell you in first place that tenancy would include his wife and it was their.combined income paying the rent, so you needed to reference the two of them together it’s a bit sloppy on his part isn’t it? You can’t charge tenant the 30 quid due to tenancy fees act but if you are keen on this potential tenant, do the referencing again but ask if anyone else will be on the tenancy inc any permitted occupiers (such as children or other adults ). Ask if he can add a guarantor too. Or just move on and find someone else who’s better at comms and passes the referencing 1st time instead of wasting your time Join a LL association and do the training- it’s an allowable tax expense. Good luck ---
**Author:** ![C116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a5b964/32.png) [@C116](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/C116)\ **Post date:** [3 May 2026 21:39 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500/4 "2026-05-03T21:39:44Z")
I think it is better to have both names on the agreement. If relationship breaks down then remaining person will be liable for entire debt or damages. ---
**Author:** ![Karl11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Karl11](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Karl11)\ **Post date:** [4 May 2026 07:16 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500/5 "2026-05-04T07:16:43Z")
In the future one of the questions you should ask perspective tenants is who will live there? This tells you who would need to be on the agreement. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/system/32/11_2.png) [@system](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/system)\ **Post date:** [2 August 2026 07:17 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/affordability-failed-for-tenant-but-wantedx-me-to-add-his-wife/89500/6 "2026-08-02T07:17:08Z")
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.