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I posted in the NJ portion regarding a nightmare/non paying tenant for 6mths. They are now requesting thru a "potential new landlord" a reference letter in which it states they were good tenants and never late with rent, which OBVIOUSLY they have been hence them being kicked out.
Its a catch 22 because i DO NOT want to lie to another poor landlord and have them stuck with this family but I also desperately want them out of my property.
I have a suit filed for monies owed etc but now I am stuck because I want them out but my conscious wont allow me to give them a good reference!
Recommendation? I responded that we do not give references until tenant is out of the unit and a walk through has been conducted etc.
This is why it's retarded for landlords to be so insistent on landlord referrals. Good tenant = good reference. Bad tenant = old landlord wants them out so they give a good reference. Bad tenant = gets their friend to pretend to be a landlord and give them a good tenant.
Tell the tenant you're happy to give a good reference as soon as he's paid up.
This is why it's retarded for landlords to be so insistent on landlord referrals. Good tenant = good reference. Bad tenant = old landlord wants them out so they give a good reference. Bad tenant = gets their friend to pretend to be a landlord and give them a good tenant.
Tell the tenant you're happy to give a good reference as soon as he's paid up.
I know! Its absolutely bat ****!!!!
But he's not going to pay me over 13K for the good reference to get out, he is happily living for free in our home!!!
Very few bad tenants give their real landlord as a reference. I almost never get calls from landlords over bad tenants. Your tenants will find someone else who doesn't check references. Or your tenant will lie and get a friend to pretend to be their landlord. They will trick someone into taking them. You don't have to worry about them not finding another place.
If that other landlord is one of the landlords who actually checks and tries to keep bad tenants out, please don't lie to him.
I suggest that you tell the inquirer that you can not give a reference unless you have a signed release from the tenant authorizing you to give information about them, their rental history, their payment history, their pets, their smoking, and their care of the unit.
Also, never put your references in writing. They can call you and you will talk to them on the phone. If they have the signed permission and they call you stick strictly to the facts: late so many times, whatever else they have done or haven't done. Do not express any opinions. You can put your disapproval into the tone of your voice. If that landlord is sharp, he will pick up on it.
The very few times a bad tenant has used me for a reference and I was honest, the tenant still moved. They found someone else to take them.
Very few bad tenants give their real landlord as a reference. I almost never get calls from landlords over bad tenants. Your tenants will find someone else who doesn't check references. Or your tenant will lie and get a friend to pretend to be their landlord. They will trick someone into taking them. You don't have to worry about them not finding another place.
If that other landlord is one of the landlords who actually checks and tries to keep bad tenants out, please don't lie to him.
I suggest that you tell the inquirer that you can not give a reference unless you have a signed release from the tenant authorizing you to give information about them, their rental history, their payment history, their pets, their smoking, and their care of the unit.
Also, never put your references in writing. They can call you and you will talk to them on the phone. If they have the signed permission and they call you stick strictly to the facts: late so many times, whatever else they have done or haven't done. Do not express any opinions. You can put your disapproval into the tone of your voice. If that landlord is sharp, he will pick up on it.
The very few times a bad tenant has used me for a reference and I was honest, the tenant still moved. They found someone else to take them.
Thank you and I agree that I simply would not lie to them as I would not want it done to me.
I simply stated that we do not provide references. The person responded that they needed it in order to rent the apartment. But they asked for such specifics that it would totally work against them if i bothered answering. I cant believe they have the GALL to even ask us for one and am suspecting it is just ANOTHER stalling tactic
Then once out only give an honest reference if they want one.
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