Supplying References

1. Request proof of permission

To comply with data protection legislation information typically included in a landlord reference cannot be released without permission from the previous tenant.

Ask the agent or landlord for the following:

Verbal request

To comply with privacy legislation we cannot release information about an individual without proof of permission from the individual. Please forward written permission to david@e-lettings.co.uk.

Written request

Landlord’s name

Landlord’s address

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: [tenant names and address of rental property]

To comply with privacy legislation we cannot release information about an individual without proof of permission form the individual. Please forward written permission to david@e-lettings.co.uk.

Kind regards

2. Reference templates

IMPORTANT Information given in a reference must be factual and not opinion based.

Favourable reference

Landlord’s name

Landlord’s address

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: [tenant names and address of rental property]

This reference letter is to confirm that [tenant names and their children if relevant] have been tenants in the above property since [date of tenancy].

Their rent payments have been made on time during the tenancy.

The house was kept in a clean and tidy condition.

There were no anti-social incidents reported to us.

They had a pet ????.

They informed me in advance of the reason for their move but should their requirements or circumstances change in the future I would be happy rent out my property to them again.

Kind regards

Unfavourable reference

Landlord’s name

Landlord’s address

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: [tenant names and address of rental property]

We decline to give a reference for this tenant.