Re: Previous landlord reference checks - Landlord Forum thread 311685

Re: Previous landlord reference checks by Anonymous on January 6, 2014 @05:11

Get permission from the prospective tenant. I have had the prospect give me a name and contact number. If they are coming from a local complex, call and ask for the referral from the management. Most apt. or townhouse complexes request a signed paper giving permission for a reference, that I fax to the complex before I will get a referral. With an individual landlord, I go on the county auditor's site, and find the owner of the property. And look up their phone number. If they don't have a phone number I have found on my own, I don't run the reference, because more than likely it is a relative or a friend if I use the phone number the prospect has given me.
Sorry, if they have no reference and the other prospects have their reference information in order, the other prospect ends up being offered the rental property.

Each case is different. One tenant had a glowing reference from a local apt complex, and was a terrible tenant. Another tenant was recently divorced. I asked for proof his divorce was final and he did show me the top page of the divorce decree. He is a very good tenant, and is becoming a long term tenant.
A reference from a roommate situation I don't use, since I am renting SFHs.
I never, ever run a landlord reference with the phone number the prospective tenant gives me. I only run them using a ph number or address I have obtained on my own. Or I will be talking to one of their relatives, friends, etc.

[ Reply ] [ Return to forum ]