Landlord has given negative reference - preventing house move

jjlandlord

Do note, though, that your landlord is not obliged to provide a copy of the reference he gave.
However the recipient of the reference should provide you a copy if you make a subject access request (but they can charge you £10).

Angelicdevil

TBagpuss wrote: »

Is it possible that the landlord has sent the wrong reference?

I would start by ptting in a written request for a copy of the reference.

Say somethign such as "I belive that there may have been a mix up with the reference. I was told that the reference supplied to [potential landlord] stated that:
- I frequently hold noisy parties
- I displayed anti-social behaviour.

I have been living at the property since [date] and have never held any parties.
I am not aware of any allegations of anto social behaviour and have not been informed, at any time during my tenancy, of any complaints or concerns.
I did on one ocassion have to make a complaint to the police as a result of anti-social behaviour and aggression by a neighbour - this was resolved with the neighbour being warned about his behaviour and agreeing to pay for the damge he caused.

I therfreo beliove that wither the wrong refernce has been sent by Landlord or alternatively that the wrong records were accesed in order to write the reference, leading to false allegations being made about me.

Pelase provide me, as a matter of urgency with
(1) a copy of the reference provided
(2) If it is asserted that the reference is accurate, full details of the specifc 'anti-social behaviour' alleged, including the relevant dates and the nature of the alledged behaviour, and full details of all dates on which it is alleged that loud parties took place. Please also provide copies of any record relating to any contact made with me in relation to these allegations.
(3) If it is accepted that incorrect information was provided, please provide a corrected reference and confirm and a letter confirming the error which I can produce to the [prospective landlord]."

This ^^^

And if they fail to provide satisfactory responses then I'd be minded to send this to the agent who received the poor reference as well. It may not help with the recently lost property but might help with the next one?

Raan91

Hi guys,

I've just been speaking to my sister. It turns out that she received a warning from the estate agents regarding noise levels at the "house warming" party she held a week or two after entering the property. In retrospect, they are completely right to mention that in their reference and my sister takes full responsibility for being noisy. However, she mentions that in the email she received from someone at the council who requested feedback from her previous landlord mentioned MULTIPLE house parties and Anti-Social behaviour. In the application for this new house, it asked her if she has received two or more complaints about noise, because 2 or less is acceptable, but over that amount and she wont be considered.

Theoretically speaking, from what's been said above, shouldn't she have been sent warnings for EVERY complaint they "received" regarding noise? In reality, she was only sent ONE, so it's wrong the reference mentions multiple parties. Furthermore, she has NEVER received a letter regarding this apparent anti-social behaviour, therefore, is it wrong for that to be included on the reference?

She is going to write to the estate agents and request the dates, times and reasons for the complaints she received regarding Anti-Social behaviour.

AnnieO1234

Just to play devils advocate a moment for the landlord, from his pov maybe for the first time ever, he's got a tenant who has got neighbours complaining, to the point someone shoved a brick through the window. With the best will in the world he isn't going to think you're sister is the perfect tenant.

Now that said, it could be that your sister has simply got off on the wrong foot with her neighbours and they've complained to the landlord, police or council. I know of instances where young moms have been moved into homes with neighbours who are otherwise retired etc and they've been targeted as being problematic.

Yes write to the agent, and explain that the bad reference has meant you will not be able to vacate the property. You wish to know specifically what it is you are being accused of and will take legal action if necessary.

X

Raan91

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

Just to play devils advocate a moment for the landlord, from his pov maybe for the first time ever, he's got a tenant who has got neighbours complaining, to the point someone shoved a brick through the window. With the best will in the world he isn't going to think you're sister is the perfect tenant.

Now that said, it could be that your sister has simply got off on the wrong foot with her neighbours and they've complained to the landlord, police or council. I know of instances where young moms have been moved into homes with neighbours who are otherwise retired etc and they've been targeted as being problematic.

Yes write to the agent, and explain that the bad reference has meant you will not be able to vacate the property. You wish to know specifically what it is you are being accused of and will take legal action if necessary.

X

I can completely comprehend him giving a negative reference if it's justified. However, these comments are not justified. At no point in her tenancy has she held multiple house parties or displayed anti-social behaviour.

And I agree with the neighbour thing. However, they are not saints themselves. On each side of my sisters house they are young couples -- older than my sister, but still around 25-35 years old. They are constantly arguing with each other and coming home drunk at night, banging on walls, screaming extremely loud at their children and arguing in the garden!!

Mulder00

So how many times did your sister just have some friends over for some wine?

Dan-Dan

Something doesnt add up here , dribs and drabs being drip fed by the op are painting a different picture each post

Raan91

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Something doesnt add up here , dribs and drabs being drip fed by the op are painting a different picture each post

Well thank you for your contribution for this issue.

Raan91

Mulder00 wrote: »

So how many times did your sister just have some friends over for some wine?

When she first moved into the property.

thesaint

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Something doesnt add up here , dribs and drabs being drip fed by the op are painting a different picture each post

To be fair, it didn't add up from the opening post.