Tenant Referencing Underwriter

Hyalli - Tenant Referencing underwriter - Hybrid/Remote - London

Full time Position

About Hyalli

Hyalli is a real estate app on a mission to make renting simpler, fairer and faster for landlords, letting agents and tenants alike. As we prepare to launch, we're building a team that combines sharp judgement with genuine care for getting decisions right.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Underwriter to make tenant referencing decisions on behalf of landlords and letting agents.You'll assess prospective tenants and guarantors, reviewing identity, credit, affordability, employment and references and reach clear, fair, evidence-based outcomes that keep the letting process moving while maintaining high standards of accuracy and diligence.

What You'll Do

• Assess tenant and guarantor applications against defined referencing criteria: identity, right to rent (where applicable), credit history (CCJs, defaults, bankruptcies, IVAs), affordability, employment status and landlord/agent references.
• Apply affordability calculations (income multiples, combined-applicant income, guarantor cover) using provided formulas, documenting the reasoning behind every decision.
• Reach clear outcomes and pass with conditions, refer, decline and progress tenants accordingly.
• Verify supporting evidence including payslips, contracts, accountant's references and bank statements.
• Handle referred and borderline cases with sound judgement, escalating anything outside your mandate.
• Maintain accurate, auditable case notes so every decision can be reviewed and justified
• Apply criteria consistently and without bias.
• Identify and escalate suspected fraudulent documentation or misrepresentation.
• Provide clear, professional explanations of decisions, including reasons for declines.
• Meet turnaround-time service levels without compromising decision quality.

What We're Looking For

• Proven underwriting experience. tenant referencing, credit lending, insurance or a comparable risk-assessment background.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to spot inconsistencies, gaps and red flags in documentation.
• Solid regulatory awareness and the discipline to apply rules consistently, including:
• UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Equality Act 2010 (avoiding direct and indirect discrimination in decisions and criteria).
• Right to Rent (Immigration Act 2014).
• Tenant Fees Act 2019.
• General consumer protection and fraud prevention principles.
• Full-time availability.

Qualifications

• A degree in finance, business, law or a related field.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CII Certificate,Diploma in Insurance, LIBF/ifs qualifications) are welcomed but not required for this role.
• Prior experience in tenant referencing, credit and lending underwriting as well as insurance underwriting or a comparable risk-assessment role.
• Working knowledge of credit reference data (CCJs, defaults, bankruptcies, IVAs) and how to interpret it.
• Familiarity with affordability assessment methods (income multiples, combined applicant income, guarantor cover).
• Practical understanding of UK GDPR, the Equality Act 2010, Right to Rent requirements and the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
• Strong written communication skills for clear, auditable case notes and decision rationales.
• Comfort using digital case-management and referencing platforms.