Who Should I Put as a Reference on a Rental Application?

A rental application often includes a section for references, offering landlords insights into a prospective tenant’s reliability and character. This information helps landlords make informed decisions beyond credit checks or background screenings. For applicants, strong references can significantly enhance their application, especially in competitive rental markets, by allowing individuals who know them well to attest to their suitability.

Selecting Appropriate References

Choosing the right individuals to list as references can significantly strengthen a rental application. Previous landlords are often the most valuable references, as they can speak directly to your payment history, property maintenance habits, and overall tenancy behavior. An employer or supervisor can verify employment and income, and attest to your responsibility, work ethic, and punctuality—qualities that often translate into being a good tenant. Academic contacts, such as professors or advisors, can vouch for your dedication and reliability, particularly if you are a student or recent graduate without extensive rental or work history.

Personal acquaintances, excluding immediate family members, can offer character references, speaking to your general trustworthiness and how you interact with others. These could include a long-time friend, mentor, or colleague who has observed your responsible behavior. Avoid listing family members as references, as their feedback may be perceived as biased, undermining the objectivity a landlord seeks.

Essential Reference Details

Once you have identified suitable references, gather their accurate contact information. For each reference, collect their full name, professional title (if applicable), relationship to you, current phone number, and email address. Providing accurate contact information ensures a prospective landlord can easily reach your references, helping avoid delays or rejections due to unverified information.

Preparing Your References for Contact

After selecting your references and gathering their details, prepare them for potential contact from a landlord. Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference, ensuring they are comfortable speaking on your behalf. Inform your references about the property type and what qualities a landlord might inquire about, such as your responsibility, cleanliness, or promptness with payments. Remind them they might receive a call or email, and confirm their contact information. Providing your references with context helps them offer a relevant and positive recommendation, ensuring they are ready to provide helpful information when contacted.

The Landlord’s Perspective on References

Landlords request references to understand a prospective tenant’s past behavior and assess their suitability for a rental property. Reference checks, alongside credit reports and background checks, provide a fuller picture of an applicant’s reliability. Landlords inquire about a tenant’s payment history, including whether rent was paid on time and in full. They also ask about property maintenance and any significant damages.

Questions may extend to whether the tenant was respectful of neighbors, adhered to lease terms, and if there were any complaints about noise or other disturbances. A landlord might also ask why a tenant left a previous residence and if the former landlord would rent to them again. Feedback from references helps landlords mitigate risks like late payments or property damage, informing their decision to approve an application.