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Would you use this as a landlord reference?

Jessticulate
Posts: 24 Forumite
I emailed my old landlord asking if he would provide a reference, as I am having real difficulty finding a place to rent, not helped by the fact no landlord will seem to accept housing benefit. He gave me a better reference than I hoped for, as we didn't end on the best terms when I disputed the charges he was trying to deduct from our deposit.
Anyway, I don't know if it would help or hinder my chances of getting somewhere to rent if I was to present it, he wrote this:
To Whom It May Concern
(My name) rented our residential property with her family from November 2011 to April 2014.
We received rent monthly and whilst there was the occasional short delay with the direct debits we were advised of this by the tenants (not their bank) and they were on each occasion rectified within 1 week.
The condition of our property when they left was as one would expect when rented by a young family.
Kind regards
(His name)
What do you guys think? The landlord before this has emailed back too and is happy to provide a very good reference, and I might be able to get one off my ex's brother, who was my landlord for the grand total of two weeks before my ex kicked me and the kids out, but when my ex asked him he seemed unsure about giving a reference for that short period of time.
Anyway, I don't know if it would help or hinder my chances of getting somewhere to rent if I was to present it, he wrote this:
To Whom It May Concern
(My name) rented our residential property with her family from November 2011 to April 2014.
We received rent monthly and whilst there was the occasional short delay with the direct debits we were advised of this by the tenants (not their bank) and they were on each occasion rectified within 1 week.
The condition of our property when they left was as one would expect when rented by a young family.
Kind regards
(His name)
What do you guys think? The landlord before this has emailed back too and is happy to provide a very good reference, and I might be able to get one off my ex's brother, who was my landlord for the grand total of two weeks before my ex kicked me and the kids out, but when my ex asked him he seemed unsure about giving a reference for that short period of time.
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Comments
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Is it accurate?0
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Jessticulate wrote: »I emailed my old landlord asking if he would provide a reference, as I am having real difficulty finding a place to rent, not helped by the fact no landlord will seem to accept housing benefit. He gave me a better reference than I hoped for, as we didn't end on the best terms when I disputed the charges he was trying to deduct from our deposit.
Anyway, I don't know if it would help or hinder my chances of getting somewhere to rent if I was to present it, he wrote this:
To Whom It May Concern
(My name) rented our residential property with her family from November 2011 to April 2014.
We received rent monthly and whilst there was the occasional short delay with the direct debits we were advised of this by the tenants (not their bank) and they were on each occasion rectified within 1 week.
The condition of our property when they left was as one would expect when rented by a young family.
Kind regards
(His name)
What do you guys think? The landlord before this has emailed back too and is happy to provide a very good reference, and I might be able to get one off my ex's brother, who was my landlord for the grand total of two weeks before my ex kicked me and the kids out, but when my ex asked him he seemed unsure about giving a reference for that short period of time.
Seems very reasonable if rent was delayed and there was something more than wear and tear.
Any decent LL will not see this as a problem, and it covers 3 years which helps0 -
It's reasonably accurate, we where late with the rent a couple of times due to not enough money in the right bank account. I personally thought that it was simply wear and tear, especially considering that it wasn't just a short tenancy, and the property wasn't exactly sparkling when we got it, but the landlord disagreed. I guess it might have been a little borderline.
I am mainly worried about how a potential landlord might interpret this bit the wrong way "The condition of our property when they left was as one would expect when rented by a young family."
I can't complain really, we weren't perfect tenants, and it's seems pretty fair, I'm just concerned it might hinder my chances rather than help.0 -
It sounds sufficiently real that as a landlord I'd believe it: But I'd want it direct from LL, not via a prospective tenant...0
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Jessticulate wrote: »It's reasonably accurate
I can't complain really
it's seems pretty fair
Which is exactly what it's for. You can ask no more.I'm just concerned it might hinder my chances rather than help.
So the question you have to ask is if that reference is "worse" than having a three year gap to explain to a potential landlord.
IYAM...? Nope. There's really nothing THAT bad in that reference. It just reads fairly bland and neutral. A big gap that you can't satisfactorily explain? That would raise my eyebrows.0 -
Which is exactly what it's for. You can ask no more.
So the question you have to ask is if that reference is "worse" than having a three year gap to explain to a potential landlord.
IYAM...? Nope. There's really nothing THAT bad in that reference. It just reads fairly bland and neutral. A big gap that you can't satisfactorily explain? That would raise my eyebrows.
That's the way I was leaning, I was just unsure I guess! I did think the gap would look dodgy too, to be honest as we ended on bad terms I was worried he would just ignore my email entirely and not provide a reference at all.
And I was planning on emailing the landlord back and suggesting I just provide his email and he can send the reference on to potential landlords0 -
After all this Jess, surely a new landlord will only want the reference from the current landlord? Or do they want the last 3 years or something?
If prospective landlords need 2 references; can you not get a reference from the last landlord? And then a character reference for example...?
The one the old landlord gave you isn't brilliant is is? It's not awful, but it's not 'glowing.'Proud to have lost over 3 stone (45 pounds,) in the past year! :j Now a size 14!
You're not singing anymore........ You're not singing any-more!0 -
After all this Jess, surely a new landlord will only want the reference from the current landlord? Or do they want the last 3 years or something?
If prospective landlords need 2 references; can you not get a reference from the last landlord? And then a character reference for example...?
The one the old landlord gave you isn't brilliant is is? It's not awful, but it's not 'glowing.'
I don't actually have a current landlord, I am at my mums at the moment, and other than that I have had three landlords, my first who is willing to give me a very good reference, but I last rented from her around 4 years ago, the landlord who gave this reference, and my ex's brother who isn't even sure about giving a reference because I was only renting from him for two weeks.0 -
Oh I see, sorry Jess.
Looks like you will have to use this one then.
As I said, it's not awful; it's just not a glowing reference.
As some people have said though, a gap of nearly 3 years will look much worse.Proud to have lost over 3 stone (45 pounds,) in the past year! :j Now a size 14!
You're not singing anymore........ You're not singing any-more!0 -
No problem
Thanks for the advice
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