Potential renters frequently submit references from former landlords or leasing agents when looking for a new rental home to establish their dependability and trustworthiness. Good renting agents will gladly provide testimonials for past tenants to help with their application for a new property. However, there is danger that certain lettering agents may provide a negative reference, affecting a tenant’s ability to get future rental residences.

It is critical to understand the letting agent’s function in the leasing process. Letting agencies operate as go-betweens for landlords and tenants, handling activities including promoting homes, screening possible tenants, writing lease agreements, and administering the property during the rental time. Letting agents may be asked to offer references for past renters as part of their job when they look for a new rental home.

The issue of whether letting agents can provide bad references is complicated.

While letting agencies are not legally required to provide references, they do have a responsibility of care to their clients (both landlords and tenants) to provide accurate and true information. This means that letting agents should only provide references based on factual and verifiable facts, rather than subjective opinions or personal biases.

Some letting agents may be reluctant to provide unfavourable references for fear of being sued for defamation or violating data privacy rules. However, offering a bad reference is generally not illegal as long as it is factual and not spiteful. It is crucial to remember that, while a poor reference may make it more difficult for a renter to find new housing, it does not guarantee that they will be unsuccessful in their quest.

It’s also worth mentioning that different renting agents may have varying policies when it comes to providing references. Some may prefer to supply simply basic information, such as the dates of the tenancy and the rental amount paid, rather than a more extensive evaluation of the tenant’s behaviour during the renting time. This approach may be motivated by concerns about potential legal issues as well as a desire to maintain positive relationships with both the landlord and the tenant.

Finally, the letting agency decides whether to issue a reference (good or negative) based on their professional assessment and duty of care to their customers.