Writing a tenant reference letter might seem like a small task, but it can make a big difference for someone looking to rent their next home. It can help paint a picture of what kind of tenant someone was–whether they paid their rent on time, followed the rules, obtained an appropriate tenant insurance policy, and respected your property.
Whether you’re a landlord writing on behalf of a former tenant or a tenant trying to help your landlord get started, this article will walk you through how to write a reference letter for a former tenant. To make things even easier, we’ve included a fill-in-the-blank tenant reference letter template—so you can simply plug in the details and be done in minutes.
What is a tenant reference letter?
A tenant reference letter is a short letter written by a previous landlord or property manager that talks about what kind of tenant someone was. It’s usually positive in tone and highlights reasons the tenant is being recommended, such as consistently paying rent on time, being responsible, and taking good care of the landlord’s property.
Oftentimes, landlords will request a tenant reference letter when screening a potential renter. It typically comes up during the application or background check stage of the rental process, as it is meant to help the landlord assess a tenant’s reliability and trustworthiness.
[Template] Sample reference letter for tenant from landlord
Just fill in the blanks and add a few personal details to make the letter feel more genuine and helpful to the next landlord. Simply copy, paste, and replace the bracketed text with the relevant information. Depending on the level of detail included and the familiarity with the tenant, it may take as little as 10 minutes to complete.
10 things a reference letter for a tenant should include
A tenant reference letter should only include relevant, factual information. It should not use any harsh language, feelings, or opinions against a former tenant. The goal is to provide the information a potential landlord would want to know about a prospective tenant and go from there.
With that said, here are some common things a tenant reference letter should include:
- Former landlord’s full name (first and last name )
- Former landlord’s address
- Date the letter was written
- Tenant’s full name (first and last name )
- Rental period start date
- Rental period end date
- Address of the rental property
- Positive reference to the tenant’s strengths
- Former landlord’s signature
- Former landlord’s contact information (phone number and/or email)
If it’s appropriate, the reason the tenant left (a new job, upsizing, etc.) may be included. This can provide helpful context for the future landlord, especially if they left on good terms.
Examples of positive tenant references
The second paragraph of a tenant reference letter is the time to explain why a tenant is worth recommending. This is where positive traits, strengths, and specific behaviours can be highlighted. Focus on what the tenant did well that would give confidence to the next landlord.
Here are some examples of what this section can look like:
- During their tenancy, [Tenant’s First Name] proved to be a [positive trait] tenant. They consistently [mention what they did well], and I never encountered any issues with them. I am pleased to recommend [Tenant’s First Name] as a tenant.
- [Tenant’s First Name] consistently met all expectations as a tenant. They paid rent on time every month, respected property rules, and took their responsibilities as a tenant seriously. I highly recommend [Tenant’s First Name] without hesitation.
- [Tenant’s First Name] was a respectful and low-maintenance tenant. They followed the terms of the lease, were considerate of neighbours, and left the unit in great shape upon moving out. I had a positive experience renting to [Tenant’s First Name] and would happily do so again.
- I found [Tenant’s First Name] to be a trustworthy and considerate tenant. They were proactive in reporting maintenance issues, treated the property with care, and maintained tenant insurance throughout the lease. I would not hesitate to rent to [Tenant’s First Name] again.
- Throughout their lease, [Tenant’s First Name] showed excellent communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility. They took great care of the space and never caused any disturbances. I believe [Tenant’s First Name] would be a great tenant in any rental property.
- During their tenancy, [Tenant’s First Name] was a responsible and reliable tenant. They always paid rent on time, kept the property in excellent condition, and communicated clearly if any issues arose. I would confidently recommend [Tenant’s First Name] to any future landlord.