Who Can Be a Personal Reference on a Rental Application?

In the often-stressful scramble to secure your dream apartment or house, personal references can be surprisingly crucial. They offer landlords a peek beyond your credit score and employment history, providing a character assessment that can tip the scales in your favor. So, who exactly can vouch for you in this crucial context? The ideal personal reference is someone who knows you well, can speak to your responsibility, reliability, and overall good character, and isn’t a family member or intimate partner. This usually includes former colleagues, mentors, teachers, close friends (excluding romantic partners), community leaders, or even long-term acquaintances who can attest to your positive traits.

Understanding the Role of Personal References in Rental Applications

Why Landlords Ask for References

Landlords are essentially making a calculated risk when they rent to someone. They need assurance that you will pay rent on time, maintain the property, and be a good neighbor. While credit checks and employment verification offer objective data, personal references provide a subjective, human element that can illuminate aspects of your personality and habits that numbers alone cannot capture. They want to know if you are generally considered trustworthy and responsible by people who know you well.

The Difference Between Personal and Professional References

While both types of references aim to vouch for you, their focus differs significantly. Professional references (from past employers, supervisors, or clients) emphasize your work ethic, skills, and professional conduct. They highlight your ability to meet deadlines, work in a team, and handle responsibilities in a workplace setting. Personal references, on the other hand, focus on your character, integrity, and overall suitability as a tenant. They can speak to your habits, lifestyle, and general reputation.

Choosing the Right Personal References

Key Qualities to Look For

• Reliability: Choose individuals known for their dependability. The last thing you need is a reference who forgets to return the landlord’s call or provides vague, unhelpful information.
• Positive Outlook: Select someone who has a positive view of you and is likely to provide a glowing recommendation.
• Articulateness: A reference who can clearly and effectively communicate your strengths is invaluable. They should be able to articulate why they believe you would be a good tenant.
• Longevity of Relationship: The longer they’ve known you, the more weight their opinion carries. This demonstrates a consistent pattern of behavior over time.
• Awareness of Your Situation: Ideally, your references should understand that they are being asked to vouch for you as a potential tenant and be prepared to address relevant questions.

Who to Avoid as a Personal Reference

• Family Members: Landlords generally discount family references due to potential bias.
• Romantic Partners: Similar to family members, romantic partners are seen as likely to provide biased opinions.
• Anyone with a Conflict of Interest: Avoid anyone who might have a reason to intentionally sabotage your application (e.g., a disgruntled former roommate).
• Someone Who Doesn’t Know You Well: A casual acquaintance is unlikely to provide the detailed and insightful recommendation that landlords are seeking.
• Someone Unreliable: If the person is chronically late, forgetful, or difficult to reach, they won’t be a good reference.

Preparing Your References

Before listing someone as a reference, always ask for their permission. This gives them a chance to prepare and ensures they are willing to provide a positive recommendation. It’s also helpful to:

• Provide context: Remind them about the rental property and highlight any specific qualities the landlord might be looking for.
• Share relevant information: Give them a brief overview of your application, so they understand the bigger picture.
• Offer talking points: Suggest specific examples of your responsible behavior or positive qualities they could mention.
• Thank them in advance: A simple thank you goes a long way and shows your appreciation for their time and effort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal References for Rental Applications

1. How many personal references should I provide on a rental application?

Generally, two to three personal references are sufficient. Providing too many can overwhelm the landlord, while providing too few might raise questions about your network of support.

2. What questions will a landlord typically ask my personal references?

Common questions include: “How long have you known the applicant?”, “What is your relationship with the applicant?”, “Would you describe the applicant as responsible and reliable?”, “Do you believe the applicant would be a good tenant?”, “Are there any potential concerns about the applicant as a tenant?” and “How would you describe the applicant’s character?”.

3. Should I provide my references’ contact information (phone number and email address)?

Yes, always provide both a phone number and email address for each reference. This makes it easier for the landlord to contact them promptly. Make sure the contact information is accurate and up-to-date.

4. What if I don’t have many personal references?

If you’re struggling to find personal references, consider using professional references from non-work environments, such as volunteer organizations, community groups, or even instructors from courses you’ve taken. Highlight qualities that are relevant to being a good tenant, like responsibility, cooperation, and respect for property.

5. Can a landlord legally discriminate based on information provided by a personal reference?

Landlords are subject to Fair Housing Laws, and cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, or sex (and sometimes sexual orientation or gender identity, depending on local laws). If a personal reference provides information that leads to discrimination based on a protected characteristic, the landlord could face legal consequences.

6. What if my references are located in a different state or country?

The location of your references generally isn’t a problem, as long as they can be easily contacted by phone or email. Make sure to include the appropriate country code and time zone when providing their contact information.

7. Is it okay to use a reference who is also renting?

Yes, a current or former tenant can be an excellent reference, as they understand the responsibilities of renting. However, the landlord might view them differently than someone without rental experience.

8. Should I let my references know if I get the apartment?

Absolutely! It’s courteous and appreciative to inform your references of the outcome of your application process. This allows you to thank them again for their support and maintain positive relationships.

9. What if a landlord doesn’t contact my personal references?

Sometimes, landlords don’t contact all or any of the references provided. This could be due to time constraints, a strong application in other areas, or simply a matter of preference. Don’t take it personally; it doesn’t necessarily reflect negatively on you or your references.

10. Can I ask my references for a written letter of recommendation instead of just providing their contact information?

Yes, providing letters of recommendation can be a proactive way to showcase your strengths. Ensure the letter is recent, addressed to “To Whom It May Concern” or a generic title, and highlights qualities relevant to being a good tenant. However, still provide their contact information as the landlord may still wish to speak with them.

11. What if my reference gives me a bad review?

This is a tricky situation. Ideally, you would choose references you trust to provide positive feedback. If you suspect a negative review is likely, it’s best to avoid using that person as a reference. If the landlord confronts you with negative feedback, address the concerns honestly and offer alternative perspectives or explanations.

12. Are personal references always required on rental applications?

No, personal references are not always required. Some landlords rely solely on credit checks, employment verification, and rental history. However, providing strong personal references can strengthen your application, especially if you have limited rental history or a less-than-perfect credit score.