Should I forge my references?? PART 1?

Question

Ok guys I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this.
I’m looking to rent an apartment. The letting agent needs a work reference before she can let it to me. I have been working for the past year and at the moment I’m using the last of my holidays as I’ve just finished up with my job. For the next year I want to dedicate myself to writing a novel. It will be my first and I have planned for this by saving up more than enough to cover the rent for at least the forthcoming year. The problem is, I don’t want to tell the letting agent this as I don’t think she would let the apt. to me if I I’m not currently in (paid) employment. i don’t think I could ask my employer to say I’m still working with them given that I will be finished up with them in a few days.

So should I just forge the work reference? The agent just wants an email from my boss saying that I’m in ‘gainful employment’. Can’t I just write that myself? Here’s the plan: (please go to part 2 of the question)...

Answer 1

No, don't forge anything. The problem is that the agent may report it to the authorities, and then it would go against your attempts to obtain another place if the agent discovers the truth. These days, most places do more investigations to check on backgrounds and truthfulness. I write short stories in addition to my regular everyday work, so I understand what you are saying. If I just did the writing, most potential landlords and loan officers would give me strange looks. Unfortunately, writers are not respected in the business world until they have well known books out there. If I were you, I would tell her this:

"I have been saving for a long time to take a vacation from my regular job so that I can devote time to an independent work project. I won't get paid for the project until it is completed, and I've signed a non-disclosure agreement that prevents me from discussing any details." (When I hired an attorney to handle the negotiations and contracts for my writing, they strongly suggested that I do not discuss my writing details with anyone but them and the publishing company.)

Answer 2

So you have already lied to the Landlord about having a job when you don't ?

Well a few more lies can hardly make it worse... but what it CAN do is make it easier for you to be found out ..

If you don't get tripped up during the application and you always pay the rent on time, no-one is going to worry ...

Is it too late to go back to work for another couple of months whilst sorting out the flat ? (that would be the ideal solution)

Answer 3

Just honestly tell them that you are leaving your past job, that you easily have the money for the year and working towards publication of a novel.
And just because one place turns you down, doesn't mean you can't keep looking!