Is a landlord obliged to give a reference?
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Is a landlord obliged to give a reference?
Landlords are under no legal obligation to provide a reference, and indeed if you have had a bad experience you may wish to decline, in which case the credit reference agency seeking the reference will refer to other sources such as a previous letting agent.
How do I ask my landlord for a reference?
A landlord reference letter should include the following elements in the order below:
- Your present landlord’s name, address, and contact details.
- Recipient landlord’s name and address or “To Whom It May Concern”
- Greetings.
- Address of the property that was leased.
- Dates of the lease.
What can a landlord say when giving a reference?
Rest assured there are no privacy laws limiting what a landlord can or can’t disclose about a previous tenant. You can say anything you wish. However, our advice is to stick to the facts and only give information that you can support with written proof so that your former tenants won’t accuse you of slander.
What questions does a landlord ask references?
It might be a good idea to ask:
- How do you know the tenant?
- How long have you known the tenant?
- How does the tenant spend their spare time?
- Have you spent any time in the tenant’s current or previous home? How would you describe it?
- Does the tenant smoke?
- Does the tenant have pets?
- Describe their overall character.
Can landlords give you a bad reference?
Sure. They’re free to say whatever they like. However if they make up negative stuff that stops you from getting a rental you might have action for slander or libel. If you’ve been a good tenant then a landlord has no reason to give a bad reference unless they’re nuts.
What happens if landlord doesn’t give reference?
If you can’t give a reference You might still be able to rent, even if you can’t get a reference. Explain to your landlord or letting agent why you’re not able to get a reference. If you paid rent on time in the past, show them your tenancy agreement and rent book or bank statements to prove this.
Can a landlord give a bad reference?
Many landlords have heard rumors that they can’t give tenants a bad reference. This is not true, and if there are definite, verifiable facts that pertain to a particular tenant, you have a responsibility to let other prospective landlords know.
How do I get around a bad rental reference?
How can I rent again if I have a bad reference?
- Tips on how to go about renting a property when one of your previous landlords is giving you a bad reference.
- Honesty is the best policy.
- Co-sign with a friend or family member.
- Pay upfront.
- Show steady income.
- Use multiple landlords as reference.
- Offer to pay more.