Do Landlords Call Personal References?

Landlords often employ a comprehensive tenant screening process to evaluate prospective renters. This process typically includes checking credit scores, verifying employment, and reviewing rental history. While these checks provide insights into an applicant’s financial reliability and past tenancy, landlords also frequently seek personal references. These references offer a broader understanding of a prospective tenant’s character and overall suitability for a rental property, going beyond mere financial records.

The Purpose of Reference Checks

Landlords contact personal references to gain insights that financial reports or prior landlord verifications cannot fully provide. These checks help assess a prospective tenant’s character, reliability, and social compatibility. References offer a perspective that complements formal checks like credit scores or background reports. This additional layer of scrutiny assists landlords in mitigating risks associated with property damage, neighbor disputes, or non-compliance with lease terms.

References help landlords determine if an applicant will maintain the property well, live harmoniously within a community, and be a responsible resident. They aim to understand non-financial aspects, such as an applicant’s cleanliness, respect for others’ property, and ability to adhere to rules. This is valuable when an applicant has limited or no prior rental history, such as a first-time renter. Landlords use these insights to make informed decisions, enhancing the likelihood of securing a reliable tenant.

Information Sought from References

When contacting personal references, landlords inquire about various aspects of an applicant’s character and habits. Common questions aim to ascertain how long the reference has known the applicant and in what capacity. Landlords often ask for a description of the applicant’s overall character, reliability, and trustworthiness. They might inquire about the applicant’s general conduct and whether they are respectful of others.

Specific questions may delve into the applicant’s living habits, such as their cleanliness or quietness, and whether they are responsible. A landlord might ask if the reference has spent time in the applicant’s current or previous home and how they would describe its condition. Inquiries about whether the applicant smokes or has pets might also be posed, especially if these are relevant to the property’s policies. Landlords seek deeper insights into an applicant’s personality and habits to ensure they would be a good fit for the property and community.

How to Prepare Your References

Prospective tenants should proactively prepare their personal references to streamline the application process. It is important to ask for permission before listing someone as a reference, ensuring they are comfortable speaking on your behalf. Inform your references about the specific rental property you are applying for, including details like the landlord’s name and the type of unit.

Providing your references with context about the rental application helps them anticipate the types of questions they might be asked. Remind them of your positive attributes or shared experiences that demonstrate your responsibility, reliability, or cleanliness. Some applicants provide bullet points or a template to their references to make it easier for them to draft a letter or prepare for a call, ensuring the information is relevant and positive. This helps references provide a strong, positive recommendation that can significantly benefit your application.

Addressing a Lack of Personal References

For individuals who may not have traditional personal references, such as first-time renters or those new to an area, alternative strategies can be employed. While immediate family members are generally not preferred due to potential bias, other non-familial connections can serve as character references. Consider professional references, such as a former employer, coworker, or academic advisor, who can speak to your work ethic, responsibility, and ability to meet obligations.

Submitting letters of recommendation from mentors or community leaders can bolster an application by vouching for your character and reliability. If you have a limited rental history, strengthening other aspects of your application, such as demonstrating strong financial stability through income verification or a solid credit score, can help compensate. Being transparent with the landlord about your circumstances and offering these alternative forms of validation can demonstrate your earnestness and responsibility.