If you’re in the process of finding a new home to rent, you may be asked to provide a letter of recommendation from your previous landlord. This can be an essential component of your rental application, as it gives the new landlord an idea of what kind of tenant you were in the past. In this article, we’ll discuss how to write a great letter from your previous landlord, provide examples to guide you, and answer some frequently asked questions.
How to Write a Letter From Previous Landlord
When writing a letter from your previous landlord, keep it brief and to the point. Your main goal is to provide an honest and positive recommendation for your tenant. Use the following format when writing your letter:
Greeting
Start with a formal greeting addressing the new landlord or property manager.
Letter Body
In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and your relationship to the tenant. Discuss the length of time they rented from you and the condition of the property when they moved out. In the second paragraph, highlight the tenant’s positive attributes such as their payment history, cleanliness, and their ability to follow rules or regulations. Make sure to back up your claims with specific examples and dates.
Complimentary Close
Close the letter with a warm and professional statement, inviting the new landlord to contact you if they have any further questions or concerns.
Letter From Previous Landlord Examples:
Example 1: Good Payment History
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they demonstrated excellent behavior as a tenant. The property was always clean, and they were respectful of their neighbors. Additionally, they always paid rent on time, and there were never any issues with late payments. I strongly recommend [Tenant’s Name] to any landlord looking for a reliable tenant.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Example 2: Respectful Tenant
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they demonstrated excellent behavior as a tenant. The property was always kept clean and tidy, and they were always respectful of their neighbors. [Tenant’s Name] is a responsible and trustworthy tenant, and I have no hesitation in recommending them to any landlord.
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
Example 3: Great Communication Skills
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they demonstrated excellent behavior as a tenant. [Tenant’s Name] was always prompt in communicating with me, and any issues that arose were quickly resolved. Additionally, they kept the property clean and tidy and always paid rent on time. I highly recommend [Tenant’s Name] to any landlord looking for a responsible, communicative, and reliable tenant.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 4: Good Relationship with Neighbors
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they demonstrated excellent behavior as a tenant. [Tenant’s Name] was always respectful and courteous to their neighbors, and they kept the property clean and tidy. They always paid rent on time and were very easy to communicate with. I strongly recommend [Tenant’s Name] to any landlord looking for a reliable and respectful tenant.
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
Example 5: Responsible Tenant
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they were an exemplary tenant. [Tenant’s Name] always respected the property and was very responsible with their rent payments. They also kept the property clean and tidy, and were always happy to report any issues that arose promptly. I strongly recommend [Tenant’s Name] to any landlord looking for a responsible and reliable tenant.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 6: Clean Tenant
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they were an excellent tenant. They took very good care of the property and always kept it clean and tidy. They never had any issues with paying rent on time and were always respectful of other tenants in the building. I highly recommend [Tenant’s Name] to any landlord looking for a reliable and clean tenant.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Example 7: Good Relationship with Landlord
Dear [New Landlord’s Name],
I am writing this letter to recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant. I was [Tenant’s Name]’s landlord from [Date] to [Date], and during that time, they proved to be a reliable and responsible tenant. They always paid rent on time, and any issues that arose were always resolved quickly and without issue. [Tenant’s Name] had a great relationship with me as their landlord, and I have no hesitation in recommending them to any landlord looking for a respectful and trustworthy tenant.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in the letter from my previous landlord?
Your letter from your previous landlord should include your relationship to the tenant, the length of their tenancy, the condition of the property when they moved out, and their positive attributes, backed up with specific examples.
What if I don’t have much to say about my tenant?
If you don’t have much to say about your previous tenant, keep the letter brief and to the point. Simply state that the tenant paid rent on time, kept the property clean, and had no major issues during their tenancy.
What if I had a difficult tenant?
If you had a difficult tenant, you should still write a letter, but be honest about their shortcomings. Discuss how the tenant resolved any issues and any positive attributes they may have had.
What if I lost contact with my previous tenant?
If you lost contact with your previous tenant, you can still write a letter stating that you were their landlord during a specific period of time and that they paid rent on time and had no major issues.
What if I don’t want to write a letter?
If you don’t want to write a letter, you can choose not to. However, keep in mind that a letter from a previous landlord can be an important component of a rental application.
Is it legal for me to write a negative letter?
If you write a negative letter, make sure you are truthful and can back up your claims with specific examples. Additionally, check your state’s laws regarding tenant-landlord relationships, as some states prohibit landlords from sharing negative information about their tenants.
Conclusion
A letter from your previous landlord can be an essential component of your rental application. It’s important to keep your letter brief and to the point, and to provide specific examples of the tenant’s positive attributes. Use the examples provided in this article to guide you, and remember to be honest and professional in your letter.