Sooner or later a departing tenant — or their next landlord or agent — will ask you for a reference. And when you are the one taking on a tenant, a previous-landlord reference is one of your most useful checks, precisely because it comes from someone who has already lived with the answer.
This guide covers both sides: a free template for writing one, what you can lawfully say (and what is risky), and how to request one from a previous landlord — including how to spot the fake reference where the "landlord" is really the applicant's friend.
This is guidance, not legal advice.
What you can lawfully say
A landlord reference is not a character testimonial — it is a factual record, and keeping it factual is what protects you. The safe rule: say only what you can evidence from your own records, and be honest.
Honesty matters in both directions:
Stick to facts you hold: the tenancy dates, the rent, whether it was paid on time, whether the property was looked after, whether there were breaches. If you would not want to defend a statement with your rent ledger and inspection notes in front of you, do not write it. Remember too that the tenant can ask what personal data you hold about them, so assume they may see it.
Free landlord reference letter template
Keep it short, dated and factual. Something like:
> To whom it may concern
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> Re: [Tenant name], [property address]
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> I confirm that [Tenant name] rented the above property from me from [start date] to [end date] under an assured tenancy.
>
> The monthly rent was [£amount], paid [monthly/other]. During the tenancy the rent was [paid in full and on time / the following arrears arose: …].
>
> The property was [returned in good condition, fair wear and tear excepted / the following issues arose: …].
>
> [I would / I would not] be willing to let to this tenant again.
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> This reference is given in good faith and is based on my own records.
>
> [Name, signature, date, contact details]
Fill only what your records support. If you cannot confirm something, leave it out rather than guessing.
How to request one — and spot a fake
When you are the incoming landlord, a previous-landlord reference is valuable, but it is also the easiest check to fake — the "previous landlord" is sometimes the applicant's friend or relative reading from a script. Protect yourself:
A previous-landlord reference is a complement to referencing, not a replacement: it tells you how someone actually behaved as a tenant, which a credit score cannot.
How LetCompliance helps: the rent ledger, tenancy dates and inspection records a truthful reference is built from all sit in one place, so writing an honest reference for a departing tenant takes minutes — and when you are taking a tenant on, referencing through a regulated UK credit reference agency verifies the parts a letter cannot.
Sources
2026 UK Landlord Compliance Cheat Sheet
Every Gas Safety, EICR, EPC, deposit and Right to Rent deadline on one printable A4 page. Updated for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
- Every UK statutory deadline by document type
- Maximum penalty per breach (HSE, MEES, RtR, deposit)
- What blocks a Section 8 / Form 6A possession claim
- Print-friendly A4 with checkboxes
Frequently asked questions
What can a landlord say in a tenant reference?
Only what you can evidence from your own records, and it must be honest. Stick to facts: the tenancy dates, the rent, whether it was paid on time, whether the property was looked after, and whether you would let to them again. A falsely glowing reference can expose you if the next landlord relies on it; a falsely negative one risks a defamation or damages complaint. If you could not defend a statement with your rent ledger in front of you, leave it out.
Do I have to give a departing tenant a reference?
There is no legal obligation to provide one, but a factual reference is usually reasonable and helps a good tenant move on. If you do give one, keep it honest and based on records. Remember the tenant can ask what personal data you hold about them, so assume they may see what you write.
How do I spot a fake landlord reference?
The classic fake is a "previous landlord" who is really the applicant’s friend reading from a script. Contact the landlord using details you find independently (a Land Registry title, a letting-agent record), not only the number the applicant gives you; ask specific factual questions — exact dates, the rent figure, whether there were arrears; and check they can describe the property. A reference run through a regulated referencing provider verifies the previous landlord as part of the process, which is harder to fake.