Tenant Wants Reference... Should/Can I give one?

[Jon K.]

Should, and can, I give a current, reasonably bad tenant a rental reference?

Tenant has caused damage, been profane, regularly paid within late grace period, etc.

Should I tell tenant I don't give references, or do I have to give a reference, and do I tell their prospective landlord anything other than asked of me (tenant damaged, etc.)?

[Ryan Pyle]

I always give tenant references. They are always truthful and fact-based. I give no opinions.

I do it for a couple reasons. The first is that I would want the same courtesy from a landlord who I called for a reference. I'm usually excited when I get a tenancy reference call because so few landlords actually check at all.

Secondly, I want to reward good tenants and show bad tenants that their actions have consequences. Too many dirtbags skate by because people are afraid to call them out. This is my way of calling them out.