Free Landlord Reference Letter Template
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When you have the good fortune of finding a great tenant, it can be difficult when they decide to leave your rental for another. In the process, the tenant may also request a landlord reference letter from you to provide additional information to their new landlord and strengthen their rental application.
However, if you don’t consider yourself a wordsmith, it might be hard to stare at a blank piece of paper and know what to write about a former tenant.
In this article, we’re going to share a few tips about writing a recommendation letter for a tenant and also provide an example of a free landlord reference letter template you can use to write your own!
What is a landlord reference letter?
Very similar to character references or professional recommendation letters, a landlord reference letter is written by previous landlords when their former tenants are applying for a new rental.
If a previous renter requests a reference letter for you, it’s normally safe to assume that you and the tenant had a good renting relationship. In general, potential new landlords will use this letter to determine whether or not the tenant is safe, reliable, and trustworthy.
What should I NOT include in a landlord reference letter?
When writing a reference letter for a tenant, be sure to avoid mentioning any personal facts regarding the tenant that could violate any Fair Housing Laws.
What SHOULD I include in a landlord reference letter?
If you’re stumped as to what you should include in a reference letter for a template, think about what you yourself would want to know about a tenant.
- Did the tenant pay their rent on time?
- Was the tenant clean? Friendly? Quiet? Respectful?
Asking yourself what information you’d like to know about a tenant in a landlord reference letter will give you the inspiration as to what you should include in the letter you write.
Additionally, you should also be sure to include how long the tenant rented from you, when they rented from you, and your contact information. Including your contact information can help the landlord check up on the reference letter & verify that you’re a real landlord (as opposed to a fake reference letter from a tenant).
Free Landlord Reference Letter Template
You can use the following free landlord reference letter template below to draft a recommendation for a tenant!
DATE:
TENANT NAME:
To Whom It May Concern:
[TENANT NAME] was my tenant from [DATE] to [DATE] and rented my property at [RENTAL UNIT ADDRESS].
While they lived in my rental, they:
(Include all that apply & feel free to include your own.)
- Consistently paid rent on time
- Took good care of the property
- Responded promptly to any communication I sent
- Were cordial and polite
- Had no issues with neighbors
- Cleaned up after their pet (if applicable)
- Alerted me immediately of any maintenance issues
Overall, [TENANT NAME] was a clean and respectful tenant, and I would rent to them again. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me using the contact info below.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL & PHONE NUMBER]
Sample Landlord Reference Letter
Following the template above, here’s an example of what a sample landlord reference letter could look like:
DATE: July 07, 2021
TENANT NAME: JOHN SMITH
To Whom It May Concern:
JOHN SMITH was my tenant from June 01, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and rented my property at 142 Wallaby Way in Springfield, Illinois.
While John lived in my rental, he paid rent on time every month and took good care of the property. He never received any complaints from neighbors, and his dog is very friendly and well-trained.
Overall, John was a clean and respectful tenant, and I would rent to him again. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me using the contact info below.
Sincerely,
Anna Johnson
AJ Properties & Real Estate
ajproperties@example.com
(555) 555-5555
Conclusion
In conclusion, your landlord reference letter doesn’t need to be a work of Shakespeare. Be concise and honest in your recommendations for the tenant, while also ensuring you don’t violate any Fair Housing Laws.
In general, reference letters for tenants should include only information as it relates to your renting experience with them.
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to substitute, replace, or be construed as professional legal advice. It is for referential purposes only and not meant to replace the advice of your legal counsel, legal representation, and or lawyer. Please consult your professional legal representation or lawyer to ensure your eviction notice letter is compliant with any local, state, and/or federal laws.