Landlord Reference Letter Template

A Landlord Reference Letter is a legal document written by a property owner detailing their experience with their former tenant, outlining their rental history and behavior.

A reference from a former landlord can help prove they have consistently paid rent on time and did not cause any problems for you as the landlord.

Usually, the tenant requests a letter because they are applying to rent a new property, and it can help them prove they are a trustworthy renter.

Typically, the letter is written by a former landlord who had a positive experience with their former tenant [1].

There are certain situations when a landlord may ask you for a Reference Letter to judge an applicant, including when the tenant:

• Has a low or incomplete credit score
• Has recently relocated from another city or state
• Has irregular income

You can write either a positive or a negative letter about your former renter.

Use our template to create your letter if you have received a Landlord Reference Letter request. Simply enter the details related to your circumstances, and you’ll receive a ready-to-send letter in just a few moments.

To provide further assistance, we have included a sample of a Landlord Reference Letter below. It shows the typical structure and details:

To assist you in understanding what should be included in your document, below we provide 2 sample Landlord Reference Letters.

As a former landlord, you may have had both positive and negative experiences with your previous renters.

Whether you receive a request from a former tenant or a landlord, review what your letter should look like with the following examples.

Positive Landlord Recommendation Letter Sample

If you had a good experience with your former tenant, your letter should reflect that.

It will be essential to include the reasons the tenancy was so positive.

Have a look at the example below.

To whom it may concern:

This letter of reference is on behalf of [Tenant Name] at [Property Address] from [start date] to [end date]. They had a [Type of Pet] living with them named [Pet Name] during this time.

[Tenant Name] was timely in their rent payments. They did not violate any terms of the lease, and they left the rental unit in clean condition upon moving out. We refunded their security deposit in full.

I would be happy to rent to [Tenant Name] again. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Printed Name]

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

Negative Landlord Recommendation Letter Sample

When a property owner is reviewing rental applications, that person may look to you, the potential tenant’s former landlord, as a reference.

Perhaps your experience with your former renter was negative.

If that’s the case, have a look at the sample below to learn how to format a negative Landlord Reference Letter.

[Date of letter]

To whom it may concern:

I’m providing this reference letter on behalf of [name], a former tenant of my property at [address] from [start date] to [end date].

[Tenant Name] was responsible for their rent payments at first, but then fell behind on two months’ payments. I eventually received them, but I had to send late notices on both occasions. I received no complaints from neighbors, and no other lease terms were violated before they moved out.

However, [Tenant Name] did not leave the apartment in good condition. There was food and food-related trash left in each room, as well as in the unplugged refrigerator. I also found two large holes in the living room wall.

Because of these issues, I would be hesitant to rent to this tenant again. Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Printed Name]

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

As part of the rental application process for a new apartment, a former tenant may request a Landlord Recommendation Letter from their former landlord for several reasons, including:

• Their new landlord requests a rental reference
• The tenant wants to stand out from other applicants
• Proof of on-time rent payments is needed
• Rental history needs to be confirmed

If you can give them a positive reference, they will have the opportunity to stand out from the other applicants.

Each state has its own landlord-tenant laws that determine what is required to conduct a tenant screening and what to include in a rental application.

To write a Reference Letter, it’s essential to include the correct information and to be as accurate as possible.

Remember to use the correct delivery as well. Write your letter with a professional yet friendly tone.

Use the guidelines below to write an effective Landlord Reference Letter.

It is important to make sure that the letter only contains objective facts and does not include speculation or unproven allegations. This can help you avoid potential claims of defamation, if a negative letter causes a tenant to be rejected from future housing.

You can use our template to make creating your letter a stress-free process. Simply enter your tenant’s details, and you’ll instantly receive a comprehensive Landlord Reference Letter.

There are some details you should not include in your document, such as accidentally showing bias against an applicant.

Fair Housing laws prohibit any discrimination against an applicant based on:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)
• Familial status
• Disability

Additionally, be careful noting concerns about repair disputes and other such issues that could be viewed as potentially retaliatory.

If you mention disputes, stick to dated, documentable facts. It’s important to avoid language that could look like punishment for a tenant asserting legal rights.

It is also important to make sure that all statements in the letter are completely accurate and truthful. If a tenant obtains a copy of a negative letter, they can potentially use it as grounds for a defamation lawsuit.

Review the dos and don'ts of Landlord Recommendation Letters below.

For landlords, renting out your property can be a hassle, so it’s normal that you’d always like to choose the correct applicant.

Apart from a Recommendation Letter, some documents can help you in similar situations.

These documents include:

• Rental Application
• Lease Agreement

Using these documents correctly can help you select the correct tenant every time.

[1] How to Ask for and Write a Landlord Reference Letter. US News.