I am in the process of looking for a new apartment, to which I must submit my past rental history to prove I am in good standing (and I am). Well I received a message from my current apt manager stating that she will not provide a reference until I give a 30 day notice. However, since me getting a new apartment is contingent on my past history, I am sorta screwed. Can she do this?
2007-08-21 08:03:51 · 5 answers · asked by John D 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Yes John D, your landlord is under NO OBLIGATION to give a reference. Personally, I want to talk to your landlord BEFORE your current landlord. If you are problem tenant, the current landlord may give a glowing reference just to get rid of you. The landlord before that has no financial interest and so is more likely to be truthful if you are a bad tenant
Kate M wrote:
" If she still does not want to give you one tell her you are going to see an attorney"
OK, and then what? What are you going to ask the attorney to do? Sue? For what? Current or former landlords have no legal obligation to provide references if they don't want to and I do know a few who don't give references for anyone for any reason. So you go right ahead and go see an attorney, I am sure they could use a good laugh
2007-08-21 08:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Craig T 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, this is very common. In fact there are landlords that will not release a reference AT ALL due to liability issues. They are afraid that if you do not get the new home because of something they said, you will sue them.
Ask the new landlord if your application would be approved if you got a favorable reference from your current landlord. If they say yes, then give your 30-day notice. You should know if you are going to get a favorable reference - did you pay rent on time, did you bounce any checks, do you maintain your home to the landlords standards........ all those things figure into a landlords reference.
2007-08-21 16:18:32 · answer #2 · answered by jitterbugj 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why is it that all apts try this ? This is what you do . You tell her you are going to give her a 30 day notice and then give your new landlord her phone number and let them work it out and stay on her and make sure you give her the 30 day notice . If she still does not want to give you one tell her you are going to see an attorney more than likely she will give up and give you a reference . good luck .
2007-08-21 15:13:55 · answer #3 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
show your potential new landlord copies of your lease if you have one and copies of your cancelled rent checks showing that you paid rent on time. your current landlord does not have to give a reference under any conditions.
2007-08-21 15:12:27 · answer #4 · answered by howie r 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not? They don't have to give you a reference at all. They can also give a bad one.
2007-08-21 16:20:13 · answer #5 · answered by VOLLEYBALLY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋