Reference check with tenant prospect's prior landlord

[Denise Evans]

Right now, landlords are afraid to saying anything negative about a current or former tenant when a potential new landlord calls for tenant history. I have a solution. I'm not saying you would see immediate results, BUT, if ALL landlords had the following language in their lease, or a lease addendum, you could help each other out. The trick is to start using it now, and encourage all of your market area colleagues to do the same. Here are the magic words: “I or we (Tenant) agree that if another landlord requests reference information about Tenant, then Landlord may provide information about Tenant’s payment history, default history (whether cured or not and whether notice of default was provided or not), neighbor complaints, law enforcement investigations at the premises, pets, security deposit forfeiture, and property condition at lease end.” Feel free to customize it for your particular needs. Just don't get too over-reaching, or a court might decide the clause is unfair. I think the one above is safe for my state of Alabama, and probably most other states.

[Greg M.]

If the tenant applied today, would you rent to them?