I gave reference for friend who turned into tenant from hell - please advise!

Kittenonthekeys

Several months ago, someone I had known for a long time and who I thought was a friend, asked me to provide them with a personal reference for a house they wanted to rent.
As any friend might have done, I sent the letting agents a brief 2-line reference to the effect that in my experience, this person had always been honest and trustworthy, which up to then had been the case.
Now 7 months down the line, I was shocked to get an email from the agent to say that this person has done a runner, owing 10 grand in unpaid rent and has also caused terrible damage and trashed the place. The agent added that I may be asked to appear in court and also gave me a ticking off about providing this reference.

As far as I'm aware, apart from contacting me, the agent/landlord had made no further checks nor had they done a credit reference on this person.
Yes I know I was stupid and I deeply regret providing this reference - I've learned a sharp lesson about doing favours in the future, but I said what I believed to be correct at the time.
I had not seen this "friend" for a while and don't know what may have happened to them between then and now, to cause this situation.
However, I can't help but feel that part of the responsibility also rested with the agent or landlord who should have undertaken more thorough checks and not just relied on my two lines, as personal references are always subjective.

I can't tell you how furious I am with this (now ex) friend who has repaid my favour by dropping me in it like this.
I have told them I am disgusted and want nothing more to do with them.
The agent / landlord has no idea where they have gone but they do know exactly where to find me - and all I had done 'wrong' was to provide a reference in good faith. Obviously I didn't do anything mega-stupid like sign any contracts or guarantor agreements - all I sent was this short reference via email.
Please could anyone tell me what might happen and where I might stand on this legally - can I be held liable in any way?
This isn't exactly the crime of the century I know, but could I be made to attend court?
I do know their new address and I'm afraid that after all this, I would have no hesitation in letting the cat out of the bag as to their whereabouts if I had to.
Please could someone advise me? I am very upset about this whole awful business and have no idea where to turn.

whitewing

I think as you provided a reference, you should volunteer their new address now you know there is a problem.

Fire_Fox

How have you been 'ticked off' in writing or verbally, and exactly what have you said to the agent? Why do you regret what you said, did you lie or did you make what you believed at the time to be an honest and truthful statement? If the latter you have done nothing wrong and you should not be apologising, at most saying you are shocked and disappointed in the behaviour of this person. You may be partly liable if you gave a reference you knew at the time to be false which does not appear to be the case. By all means supply the new address of the tenant.

phill99

You gave a reference in good faith. You weren't bribed to do it nor we're you coerced. Your reference was valid given your experience and knowledge of that friend.

How your 'friend' acted after tat is not down to you.

If the agent failed to undertake appropriate credit checks, bank references etc, then they have acted negligently.

It is also highly unprofessional of them to email you and to 'give you a ticking off'.

You are beyond reproach and won't get in any trouble.

It looks like the agent is just trying to look for someone else to blame.

Osarkon

Give them his new address.

I wouldn't have thought there's much they can do about your reference, people change!

My letting agent didn't see much point in references from work or personal ones, because how would the people you work with know how you live, and your friends are going to be biased.

paul1964_2

Don't be so hard on yourself - you provided the reference in good faith.

I would give the agent your ex-friend's address if they ask.

Kittenonthekeys

Thanks so far everyone - most helpful.
The 'ticking off' went something like this:
"If you really do know (this person) then you should refrain from recommending them as honest and trustworthy."
But the fact is, I thought I did know them and did provide it truthfully - but they let me down big time.
I did respond to the agent to say I was shocked and most perplexed at what had happened but explained that the reference had been given in good faith to the best of my knowledge.

QBSBuck

Friends and business, and all that.

Like others have said, your reference was given in good faith. Its a shame to get exposed to his eventual shenanigans. Tell me, did your ex-friend apologise to you?

whitewing

It could be advice rather than a ticking off, because if you provide a reference for someone once you usually get asked again.

Court may just be necessary for the agent to show that they had taken some precautions etc, doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

Kittenonthekeys

QBSBuck wrote: »

Friends and business, and all that.

Like others have said, your reference was given in good faith. Its a shame to get exposed to his eventual shenanigans. Tell me, did your ex-friend apologise to you?

No! :mad::mad::mad:
But they haven't had a chance to apologise (and won't get one) as I immediately emailed to dump and tell them what I thought of them.

DRP

OP, it certainly doesn't sound like you share any 'blame' as you acted in good faith.

But I certainly wouldn't pass on any contact details of your friend to the EA. As far as you're concerned the whole story could be a load of BS. It is different if you get called to appear in court of course - but as things stand it is not your business to be passing on information to the EA.