Can Landlords Ask Tenants About Previous Landlords on Rental Applications?

When it comes to renting a property, landlords often wish to gain insights into a prospective tenant's past renting experience. This involves contacting the previous landlords to gather information about rental history. Is this practice common? Can it help in the decision-making process? Let's explore this in detail.

Common Practice in the Industry

It is a common practice for landlords to inquire about a tenant's previous landlords and rental history. This practice is widespread in the industry, as it allows landlords to vet potential tenants and make informed decisions. By contacting the previous landlord, landlords can get a clearer picture of the tenant's reliability and adherence to lease agreements.

Why Do Landlords Ask About Previous Landlords?

A landlord's primary goal is to ensure they do not rent to a tenant who has a history of causing issues. By asking about previous landlords, landlords can:

Gain insights into the tenant's payment history. Discover any breach of lease agreements. Assess the tenant’s communication and interaction skills with previous landlords.

This vetting process helps landlords approve good tenants and reduce the risk of dealing with problematic ones in the future.

Can Landlords Ask About Previous Landlords?

Yes, landlords can and often do ask for information about a tenant's previous landlords. However, tenants have the right to opt out of providing this information. If a tenant chooses not to answer, the landlord might not proceed further with the application process.

Some landlords prefer to skip the reference checks and rent without them. While this can be advantageous in terms of cheaper rental properties, it also poses risks. Without a thorough background check, landlords may end up with lower-quality tenants who might be more difficult to manage.

How Widely Is This Practice Used?

The practice of contacting previous landlords is particularly common in the same town, as it is a small world. However, for tenants residing in different towns, landlords can easily look up information through online databases for a small fee. These databases provide access to criminal records, civil records, and land ownership records.

The time it takes for a landlord to verify a renter's past can vary. On average, it takes around 10 years of rental history to be considered. This gives landlords a comprehensive view of the tenant's past actions and behavior.

What Prospective Tenants Should Know

Prospective tenants should be aware that trying to avoid providing previous landlord information is not advisable. Landlords will still attempt to contact the previous landlord for a reference. If a tenant cannot or will not provide the information, their application is likely to be rejected.

It's crucial for tenants to understand that the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. Landlords rely heavily on information from previous landlords to make informed decisions about renting to a new tenant.

Conclusion

Overall, the practice of asking about previous landlords on rental applications is a common and beneficial one for landlords. It helps in ensuring the quality of tenants who rent their properties. Tenants should be prepared to provide appropriate information and understand that withholding or misrepresenting information can result in their application being rejected.