Landlord reference letter that helps a good tenant move on
A good landlord reference can decide whether a tenant gets their next apartment. This prompt has your todo.is agent write a short, factual reference from a landlord or property manager: tenancy dates, rent, payment history, care of the property, and whether you would rent to them again. Tenants can use it to send their landlord a ready draft.
The prompt
- Write a landlord reference letter for [TENANT NAME(S)], who rented [PROPERTY ADDRESS] from me from [START DATE] to [END DATE OR "PRESENT"]. Monthly rent: [RENT AMOUNT]. Payment history: [ALWAYS ON TIME, OR DETAILS]. Condition of the property and any issues: [CARE, NOISE, COMPLAINTS, DEPOSIT RETURNED]. Would I rent to them again: [YES OR NO]. I am [LANDLORD OR PROPERTY MANAGER NAME AND CONTACT]. Keep it factual, positive where true, and under 250 words. Address it to [NEW LANDLORD OR "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN"]. Give me a Word file and a PDF to sign.
What to change
- [TENANT NAME(S)]: Full names of everyone on the lease.
- [PROPERTY ADDRESS]: The rented home's address.
- [START DATE]: Month and year, e.g. "June 2023".
- [END DATE OR "PRESENT"]: E.g. "September 2026" or "present" if they still live there.
- [RENT AMOUNT]: E.g. "$1,650".
- [ALWAYS ON TIME, OR DETAILS]: Be honest, e.g. "paid on time every month for 3 years".
- [CARE, NOISE, COMPLAINTS, DEPOSIT RETURNED]: E.g. "left it clean, full deposit returned, no neighbor complaints".
- [YES OR NO]: A clear yes is one of the most valuable lines in the letter.
- [LANDLORD OR PROPERTY MANAGER NAME AND CONTACT]: Your name, phone and email so the new landlord can check.
- [NEW LANDLORD OR "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN"]: The new landlord or agency name, if known.
Example result
- Landlord reference letter
- Robert Hayes
- Landlord, 48 Maple Court, Apt 3B, Columbus, OH
- robert.hayes@example.com | (614) 555 0127
- 28 September 2026
- To: Greenline Property Management
- Re: Tenant reference for Wei and Lin Chen
- To whom it may concern,
- I am writing to provide a reference for Wei and Lin Chen, who rented 48 Maple Court, Apt 3B from me from June 2023 to September 2026.
- • Monthly rent: $1,650
- • Payment history: paid in full and on time every month for the whole tenancy
- • Lease: they renewed twice and gave the proper 60 days notice when they decided to move
- The Chens took very good care of the apartment. They reported a leaking tap promptly, which helped me fix it before it caused damage. At move-out the apartment was clean and in good condition, and I returned their full security deposit. I received no complaints from neighbors during their tenancy.
- I would gladly rent to Wei and Lin again, and I recommend them as tenants without hesitation.
- Please contact me if you have any questions.
- Sincerely,
- Robert Hayes
- What new landlords look for
- • Dates and rent that match the application
- • Payment record: on time, late, or any arrears
- • Property care and deposit return
- • Would you rent to them again?
- Tenants: ask for one easily
- Fill in the prompt yourself, send the draft to your landlord, and ask them to correct anything, sign and send it to the new landlord.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the tenancy details in each [bracket].
- Paste it into todo.is, or message your agent on WhatsApp with the details.
- Your agent writes a short reference and makes a Word file and a PDF.
- Check the facts, sign it, and send it to the tenant or the new landlord.
Tips for a better result
- Only write what you can confirm from your records, especially about payments. New landlords may call you.
- If there were problems, keep to facts and dates. A short, neutral letter is better than an exaggerated one.
- Tenants: give your landlord a ready draft. Busy landlords are much more likely to sign something that only needs checking.
- Include a phone number. Many letting agents verify references by phone.
landlord reference letter: FAQ
- What should a landlord reference letter include? The tenancy dates, address, rent, payment history, condition of the property, and whether the landlord would rent to the tenant again, plus contact details.
- Can a landlord refuse to give a reference? In most places, yes. A landlord is not usually required to give a reference, but if they do, it should be accurate.
- Can I use a reference from a property manager instead? Yes. A letter from a property management company or agent is common and carries the same weight.
- What if I am a first-time renter with no landlord? Ask for an employer reference, a character reference, or an employment verification letter instead.
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