Why a previous landlord reference is important

It can be daunting renting out your property to someone you don’t know, and this is why it is imperative to get a previous landlord reference from your tenant before agreeing for them to rent from you. 

Here, we’ll discuss the reasons for obtaining a previous landlord reference, including the questions to ask previous landlords. 

Why a previous landlord reference matters

Gaining a reference from a previous landlord is a key part of the tenant screening process because it helps landlords assess things such as:

• Reliability (timely rent payments)
• Behaviour (respectful conduct, rule-following)
• Property care (maintenance, cleanliness, damage)

Ensuring that you have a good reference for your tenant will help reduce the risk of having rent arrears, having to conduct evictions, or the likelihood of property damage. 

Not only this, but you will also be able to establish open communication with your potential tenant if you know that they are reliable and approachable.  

Questions to ask previous landlords 

You may still be wondering exactly which questions to ask previous landlords to ensure that you get the information you need. 

General tenancy information 

Firstly, you’ll need to find out some general tenancy information, for example: 

• The address of the property
• The occupants listed on the lease
• The tenancy start and end date
• The monthly rental amount
• The form of tenancy agreement 

Payment and financial responsibility

Next, you’ll need to establish the payment history of your potential tenant by finding out: 

• If the tenant consistently paid rent on time 
• If there were any issues with rent payments or late fees 
• If the tenant has ever had any financial difficulties that impacted their ability to pay rent 
• The address on their previous property 

Property maintenance and conduct

Finally, you’ll need to establish how the tenant treated the previous landlord’s property by finding out if: 

• The tenant maintained the rental property well
• Were there any major damages or maintenance issues beyond normal wear and tear?
• The tenant had any pets
• Were there any complaints from neighbours or other tenants?

A previous landlord reference should be specific and factual, rather than vague or overly positive or negative.  Once the previous landlord has provided you with this information and you are happy with their reference, you are one step closer to finding the right tenant for your rental property.  

What tenants can do without a rental history

There may be an instance, however, where you are looking to rent to first-time tenants. In this case, it is unlikely that they will be able to provide you with a previous landlord reference. 

But, there are other means of being able to establish the reliability of potential tenants. For example, you could ask for references from: 

• Employers
• University accommodation or student housing staff
• Personal references from professional contacts

You could ask for similar information from these sources if relevant, but the main thing that you want to establish is whether the potential tenant is reliable and that they will take care of your property. It is likely that these types of references will be based on the potential tenant’s character.  

How to verify a previous landlord reference

It is also your responsibility to do your due diligence and make sure that the previous landlord reference is real and accurate. Here’s how you can do that. 

Contact the landlord directly

The first step to take is to contact the landlord directly and to verify their identity and property ownership through HM Land Registry. Now, you’ll be able to compare the information given to you by your potential tenant to the information provided to you by the previous landlord. 

Note, there is a small fee that you’ll need to pay in order to secure this information. Expect to pay £7 for either a title register or a title plan. 

Benefits of using previous landlord references effectively

Knowing that your property will be in good hands is a massive relief, especially if you are a first-time landlord, and using a previous landlord reference is one way to help achieve this. 

But there are a few other benefits to using landlord references, too. This will automatically help foster mutual trust and understanding between both landlords and tenants and will help reduce the chance of future disputes, damages occurring or rental issues. 

Ultimately, ensuring that you access previous landlord references will help the whole rental process run a lot more smoothly. 

How to write a landlord reference 

But, what if you are the landlord needing to write a reference? Here are a few tips for you to take into consideration for the next time you write a reference for your previous tenants. 

• Be accurate and  truthful
• Be professional
• Stick to factual statements only to avoid unfair bias
• Only disclose information you are legally allowed to

Any tenant reference letter should follow the standard business letter format. Use a simple structure, with an introduction, the tenant summary, key facts and your overall verdict of the tenant’s behaviour and reliability. Also, be sure to remain objective in your letter. 

Further to this, be sure to answer all the questions asked by the next landlord. Try to give as much detail as possible and to answer the questions with as much thought as possible. 

Previous landlord references will help you assess the risks associated with renting to a tenant; this is ultimately what you want to establish. So, ensure that you get a reference before proceeding with the rental agreement.

Contact our team of experts at CIA Landlords to find the best landlord insurance deals for you.  You can also visit our advice centre to find out more about the tenant screening process.

Contact us today on 01788 818 670 for a tailored quote.