My cousin and I got in an argument 6 months ago and haven't talked since. Just recently he started e-mailing me saying he is sorry. Well today I get this phone call from him saying he is trying to rent a house and he put me as a reference. He told me to put a good word in for him. His future landord called asking about his character. I didn't answer he left a message and asked me to call him back. Now my cousin is a very clean person and he has always paid debts to me in full. However I have scene him screw landlords before. so my question is Do I say I've scene him screw people or do I say he's always been honest with me and he is clean?
2006-08-09 11:50:21 · 10 answers · asked by nightrider 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
He's still your family. You don't owe some unknown landlord anything, defend your cousin.
2006-08-09 11:54:15 · answer #1 · answered by ratboy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to just say to the landlord that you are uncomfortable with being used as a reference, and say no more. Do not comment on his merits (or demerits, lol) as either a person or a tenant. End the discussion right then and there.
Then call your cousin and tell him that you are uncomfortable being used as a reference because of his past history of screwing landlords. Tell him not to give you as a reference again.
He should not have given your name without asking you first.
2006-08-09 11:58:30 · answer #2 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think anyone who calls references expects a little exaggeration. I would keep it business like. Yes and no answers and only answer the question asked. Don't give out unrequested information. I mean don't put more possible questions in the landlords head, that will only prolong your agony. Good Luck!
2006-08-09 12:19:08 · answer #3 · answered by el 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Good question.
My humble advice is to just answer honestly the questions that the landlord asks you. Do not elaborate. Just focus on the specific question, and give true but not detailed answers.
Good luck.
2006-08-09 11:55:02 · answer #4 · answered by lorgurus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a hard one isn't it?
Maybe you should ask your cousin to give a different name for a reference?
Apart from that, do whatever you decide is the right thing to do. Just don't be tempted to rat him out because you're still mad with him.
2006-08-09 11:59:38 · answer #5 · answered by Claudia G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to be true to yourself, tell the future landlord both. Let he and you cousin work it out. You told the truth.
2006-08-09 11:56:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest avoiding the call. Your cousin shouldn't have used you for a reference and you shouldn't have to compromise your integrity and lie for him. Best not to say anything if you can't say anything nice, right!
2006-08-09 11:59:36 · answer #7 · answered by charlottesville101.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
according to your title you're not even sure if you have a question.
It really depends what your arguement with him was about...if it was something trivial - don't bad mouth him to the landlord. However if it was some effed up stuff, then you already know what you're gonna say.
2006-08-09 11:58:12 · answer #8 · answered by Sam Bizz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be honest to yourself, so you don't feel bad afterward. You can always reserve the answers to certain questions if you are not comfortable to reveal too much. But do not lie.
2006-08-09 13:35:23 · answer #9 · answered by 1001Questions 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honest and clean your family will always be there no matter if you want them to or not so ease the tension between yall
2006-08-09 11:56:19 · answer #10 · answered by spida_kat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋