How much information can I share regarding a tenant inquiry?

[Dorraine S.]

I'm a new property manager. When a furniture rental company calls me to confirm a tenant's address or to ask if they pay their rent on time, how much information am I allowed to reveal? I've scanned through the state landlord-tenant handbook, but didn't find what I was looking for. That doesn't mean it's not in there; it's just that I didn't find it. Other landlords may also call me to gather information on a prospective tenant. I'm reluctant to share any information, because I don't know what I am permitted reveal. Can anyone direct me to the rules regarding that?

[Bienes Raices]

Originally posted by Dorraine Stanley:

I'm a new property manager. When a furniture rental company calls me to confirm a tenant's address or to ask if they pay their rent on time, how much information am I allowed to reveal? I've scanned through the state landlord-tenant handbook, but didn't find what I was looking for. That doesn't mean it's not in there; it's just that I didn't find it. Other landlords may also call me to gather information on a prospective tenant. I'm reluctant to share any information, because I don't know what I am permitted reveal. Can anyone direct me to the rules regarding that?

I can't answer your question Dorraine, but I can give you the perspective from the other end. A lot of the apartment complexes in my area will only do my reference check if I fax them a consent form signed by the applicant(s), so I've created a form specifically for this as part of my application. Maybe the furniture rental co.s etc. should be doing the same thing.