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

whitewing

If I wrote a personal reference for someone and was notified of a problem like this then I would definitely pass the new address on.

BASFORDLAD

Tell the agent to take a running jump

Ive given lots of references to get people jobs and places

RexBanner

DRP wrote: »

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.

Agree with this.

And morality lessons from an estate agent? Jesus wept!

seriousDFW

This is ridiculous. You did the letting agent a favour by giving them an account of your experience of this person. You were honest. It has nothing to do with you the moment that reference has been submitted.

Insist that the agent removes your contact details from their records and insist that they not contact you again.

Kittenonthekeys

seriousDFW wrote: »

This is ridiculous. You did the letting agent a favour by giving them an account of your experience of this person. You were honest. It has nothing to do with you the moment that reference has been submitted.

Insist that the agent removes your contact details from their records and insist that they not contact you again.

Thank you - good advice. I will do if they contact me again; in fact my original inclination was to do exactly that, but I was afraid it would look a bit dodgy and I didn't know where I stood legally.....

seriousDFW

Eton_Rifle wrote: »

You have done nothing for which you should approach yourself. Any of us would have done the same.

I disagree with the above post. This friend has left a trail of huge debt and damage and has treated you very badly.
I would be passing on every detail of this person. Family addresses, work location, anything to bring this person to book.

I've no problem with the OP passing on the friend's details! But once that's been done, the letting agent shouldn't be contacting him again.

Also, I tend to think actually the letting agent doesn't really deserve the help of the OP, as they have treated the OP appallingly.

seriousDFW

Eton_Rifle wrote: »

The letting agent doesn't but the landlord does.

Had a feeling you would say that.

To be honest I don't have any sympathy for a LL who uses an agency such as this one. If a letting agent is so appalling at conducting business as has been described by the OP, the LL must be aware of this?

Kittenonthekeys

seriousDFW wrote: »

Had a feeling you would say that.

To be honest I don't have any sympathy for a LL who uses an agency such as this one. If a letting agent is so appalling at conducting business as has been described by the OP, the LL must be aware of this?

Yes, that's true.
The agent originally left a voicemail at my work phone no. (I run my own small business) but did not leave a name, or even say who the company was - they only asked for me by name and requested that I call back.
I returned the call (having no idea who I was calling - I thought it was a customer) but no one at the agents knew anything about it, nor who had actually called me!
The next contact from them was that email.
Most unprofessional.

seriousDFW

Kittenonthekeys wrote: »

Yes, that's true.
The agent originally left a voicemail at my work phone no. (I run my own small business) but did not leave a name, or even say who the company was - they only asked for me by name and requested that I call back.
I returned the call (having no idea who I was calling - I thought it was a customer) but no one at the agents knew anything about it, nor who had actually called me!
The next contact from them was that email.
Most unprofessional.

Indeed. Well decide whether you want to pass on your ex-friend's details or not, then do so or don't do so, and tell the agents not to contact you any more.

Morgage_Confused

Cant you offer to pay the 10 grand in unpaid rent. That would sort out the situation.