Tenant wants copy of Rental Verification from previous landlord

[Jacob Rogers]

Hello all!

I have a unit I am looking to rent in Cedar Rapids, IA and I had someone apply for the unit. Their credit score and income were borderline out of my requirements but I figured I would still approve them if calls to their previous landlord and current employer went well.

The landlord that I talked to was a local property management company in my area. I talked to them for a few minutes about her and they sent me a filled out Rental Verification form after we were done talking. Basically the form states their name, residency dates, rent amount and describes how they were as a tenant.

The form says that she lived there for 3.5 years, had 15 late payments, significantly damaged the unit (carpet replacement, dry wall repair, blinds and door replacement). The person that I talked to also said that they failed to give notice that they were leaving and did not pay the last months rent (I guess they took her to court and settled with the cosigner). Finally, the form also says that if she reapplied and met their criteria, she would be approved to live with them again...

I sent an adverse action letter to the applicant stating that they were denied in part or in whole by the credit report we received as well as the reference we got from their previous landlord. She emailed me back thanking me for the response, but wants a copy of the form that was sent to me by the previous landlord so that she can submit it to a lawyer. She claims that she has evidence contrary to what they have been telling people and that they are keeping her and her children homeless out of spite.

Should I send her the form? Obviously, if the PM company is spitefully harming her chances of finding a home I want to help her, but I don't know if I am acting in the wrong by sending out information that the PM company gave to me.

Thank you so much for any help!

[Timothy VanWingerden]

I would provide her with the contact information for the PM company. Have them send her the form. Tell her as soon as she has this issue resolved that you will be more than happy to continue processing her application, but in the meantime you will continue to show the property to other tenants.