Getting Prior Landlord Reference

[Ray Harrell]

I was thinking, has anyone ever called a previous landlord and gotten a glowing reference, only to find out they gave u a friend's number, OR WORSE, the previous landlord gave u a glowing reference to get rid of them?

Two ideas I thought of. Ask for the landlord prior to the current landlord, and stress that you will be verifying ownership by checking the tax record. 

Landlords with no more stake are likely to give u the truth since they have gotten rid of the problem, and by telling tenants AFTER u get their previous prior address that you are checking tax records will eliminate them giving you a friend's number. 

Any thoughts?

[Account Closed]

Honestly, it became nearly impossible for me to get landlord references by the time I retired.  The pat response had become "If they qualified, we would rent to them again."  This, of course, tells you absolutely nothing.  Also, all they would usually verify were dates of tenancy, if I could even get them to respond.  Then, they'd usually want a request via fax on letterhead, which I did not have, as a resident manager working for an old fashioned owner.

Other than using other good sleuthing techniques and credit, criminal, eviction, employment checks - your next best defense is a month to month agreement.

And remember that you can deny them for nearly anything you can think of.  There are very few protected classes.  So, if they don't fill out the application completely - denied.  If they don't show up on time (or call you while stuck in traffic, and you verify a real traffic jam on Google maps) - denied.  If they show up with a brother who does all the talking for them, but isn't actually applying himself - denied.  If they smell like smoke - denied.  If they show up with friends who are disrespectful - denied.  If they are a couple and they are arguing - denied.  If they are rude, don't provide documents when they say they will, if they change their story, on and on and on.

Just make those things criteria that you apply across the board, and you'll be fine.

And if someone sneaks past you anyway - give them 30 days notice because you only rented to them on a month to month agreement.