Do I have to ask potential tenant recommendation letter from current landlord?

[Kevin Kim]

Hi,

We have found a really good potential tenant. He has already submitted an application through Zillow, and we have the contact number of his current home manager.

Please let me know if it's still a good idea to ask the potential tenant for a recommendation letter from their current landlord, or if calling the manager would suffice.

By the way, what should we do if the tenant has simply provided a friend’s number, and the friend pretends to be the landlord or property manager, or if he just make fake letter? Are there a way to check? 

Thank you. 

[Laura Stayton]

You should always check rental history.  You will need a rental release signed by applicant giving permission to release information on their tenancy.  Also, cross check the owner of record to make sure they are who they say they are (many people do give a friends number and say they're the landlord)  That's why it's so important to check

[Bill Brandt]

I don’t think many/any landlords would write such a letter. 

Does the tenant’s driver’s license address match the supposed previous rental?

If so then go to your county website and look up the property tax records. It will show the owner and the address the property taxes are mailed to. Does that name match the name the tenant gave you? Look up the address on Zillow and make sure it was a rental during the period they say they rented. Maybe even enter a submission from Zillow asking for contact info. 

[John Underwood]

Better to ask previous landlord. Current Landlord might say anything to get rid of a bad tenant.

[Colleen F.]

@Kevin Kim call the landlord.  You can verify they are the owner and possibly their number online. A letter is something I will give if a tenant asks when leaving but its not something I have every been asked to supply real time. Thats very formal.  Some landlords will not talk to you unless you have a signed form by the tenant authorizing communication or the tenant calls to authorize in advance. 

[Michael Smythe]

@Kevin Kim a bit naive!

How will you know if the letter is from the actual landlord?

How do you even know if the name & number on the application is that of the actual landlord?

We check public records BEFORE calling landlords, so we can trip up fraudsters!

We also have a Whitepages account to look up owners in public records that aren't the name tenants give us.

[Alyssa Wright]

It's ALWAYS a good idea to contact the property management for reference. Recommendation letters would be fine as well, but personally, I think talking to them over the phone is more ideal as it's easier to get answers and just a better understanding of the tenant. 

[Adam Bartomeo]

You can search the county appraiser site to see who the owner is. We always speak with the previous landlord. We have found many times that the tenant hasn't paid rent, is going to be evicted, and this is why they are trying to find a new place. Its always good to hear what they have to say but to ask for a letter will be a difficult ask as the landlord has no motivation to provide this.