Writing a landlord reference letter can be a challenge. Use our free landlord recommendation letter template to make drafting your letter easy or fill in your details and we’ll create a ready-to-send letter for you free of charge!
With our letter generator, all you need to do is fill in your details and your signed letter will be created and ready to send.
Landlord Recommendation Letter Generator
The Landlord Reference Letter generator above writes a complete landlord reference letter from a few quick details — who the tenant is, how long they rented, whether they paid on time, how they kept the place, and whether you would rent to them again. It is free, there is no sign-up, and nothing you enter is stored. Once the letter appears you can edit any word of it on the page, then copy it, download it as a Word document, or save it as a PDF.
It works whether you are a landlord or property manager writing a reference for a tenant who is moving on, or a tenant who has been asked to draft a rental reference letter for a current or former landlord to review and sign. There is also a quick setting for what the letter is for: a new rental application, where the focus is reliability and care of the property, or a mortgage or loan application, where the focus shifts to a consistent, on-time payment history. If you need a different kind of reference altogether, our letter of recommendation template covers jobs, school, and personal references.
How to use the landlord reference letter generator
- Enter the tenant’s name and how long they rented from you.
- Add the monthly rent and choose how reliably it was paid, then say how they kept the property.
- Choose whether you would rent to them again, and add any honest notes — a standout quality, or a fair caveat.
- Add your name and role, pick a tone and length, and select Write my letter.
- Read it over, adjust anything that is not quite right, then copy it or download it as a Word file or PDF.
A landlord reference does one job well: it tells the next landlord that this person pays on time and treats a home with respect. Keep it specific and keep it honest. If something was not perfect, it is better to say so plainly than to oversell — a reference that sounds too good is easy to distrust, and your name is on it.
What is a landlord reference letter?
A landlord reference letter is a document written by a landlord on behalf of their tenant. It is typically requested by a new landlord or property manager as part of the rental application process, in order to verify the tenant’s rental history and ensure that they are a reliable and responsible tenant. The letter is intended to provide insight into the tenant’s character and suitability as a tenant, based on the landlord’s experience renting to them.
A landlord reference letter is sometimes called a landlord recommendation letter or a tenant reference letter — they all describe the same thing: a current or former landlord vouching for a tenant.
What should be included in a tenant recommendation letter?
A landlord letter of reference should include several key pieces of information that can help a potential new landlord or property manager assess the suitability of a tenant. Here are some of the things that should be included in a rental reference letter:
- Introduction: The letter should begin with an introduction that includes the date, the name of the landlord or property manager, and the name of the tenant being referred.
- Rental history: The letter should include information about the tenant’s rental history, such as the length of their tenancy, the amount of rent they paid, and whether they paid on time. This information can help the new landlord or property manager assess the tenant’s financial responsibility.
- Behavior: The letter should provide details about the tenant’s behavior during their tenancy, such as whether they caused any damage to the property or were a good neighbor. This information can help the new landlord or property manager assess the tenant’s character and suitability as a tenant.
- Personal opinion: The letter may also include the landlord’s personal opinion of the tenant’s character and suitability as a tenant. This can be particularly helpful if the landlord has had a positive experience with the tenant and wishes to recommend them.
- Contact information: The letter should conclude with the landlord’s contact information, including their name, phone number, and email address. This will allow the new landlord or property manager to contact the landlord if they have any further questions.
Overall, a landlord reference letter should be honest and provide a balanced view of the tenant’s rental history and behavior. It should also be well-written and professional in tone.
Sample landlord reference letter
Example of a reference letter from a landlord where there were no problems:
Tenant Recommendation Letter
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am writing this letter to serve as a reference for [Tenant’s Name], who was a tenant in one of my properties from [Start Date] to [End Date]. During their tenancy, [Tenant’s Name] lived in a [Apartment / Condo / House] unit located at [Address of Property].
As a tenant, [Tenant’s Name] was responsible and reliable, always paying their rent on time and taking good care of the property. They were respectful of their neighbors and did not cause any disturbances. Additionally, they left the property in good condition when they moved out.
Based on my experience renting to [Tenant’s Name], I would highly recommend them as a tenant. They were a pleasure to work with, and I believe they would make a great tenant for any future landlord.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss [Tenant’s Name] further, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]Sample Reference Letter from Landlord to Tenant Divided into Sections
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date] [Recipient’s Name]
[Recipient’s Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
Subject: Reference Letter for [Tenant’s Name]
I am writing this letter to provide a reference for [Tenant’s Name], who resided at [Property Address], from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I served as [his/her/their] landlord during this period.
- Rent Payment:
During [his/her/their] tenancy, [Tenant’s Name] consistently paid the rent on time. There were no instances of delayed or missed payments, demonstrating [his/her/their] financial responsibility and reliability. - Property Maintenance:
[Tenant’s Name] maintained the property in excellent condition. [He/She/They] treated the property with care and respect, and there were no damages or alterations made to the premises, beyond ordinary wear and tear. - Behavior and Conduct:
[Tenant’s Name] was respectful and considerate to neighbors and other tenants. There were no complaints received regarding noise, disturbances, or inappropriate behavior during [his/her/their] tenancy. - Communication and Cooperation:
Whenever there were maintenance requests or other concerns, [Tenant’s Name] communicated promptly and cooperatively, allowing for smooth resolution of any issues that arose. - Lease Agreement Adherence:
[Tenant’s Name] adhered strictly to the terms and conditions of the lease agreement and was cooperative during property inspections and when any minor issues needed addressing.
Based on [Tenant’s Name]’s exemplary tenancy, I highly recommend [him/her/them] as a tenant. I am confident that [he/she/they] will continue to be responsible, respectful, and maintain any future property in excellent condition. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] should you require any additional information or clarification.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name][Your Title] – if applicable
[Your Signature] – if sending via mail [Optional: Company Name, if applicable]
[Optional: Company Address]
[Optional: Company Email Address]
[Optional: Company Phone Number]
Example letter from landlord where there were some late payments:
I am writing to provide a reference for [Tenant’s Name], who was a tenant in one of my rental properties located at [Address of Property]. [Tenant’s Name] leased the property from [Start Date] to [End Date], during which time they were a model tenant.
During their tenancy, [Tenant’s Name] was always punctual with rent payments, never missed a payment, and was respectful of both the property and neighbors. They kept the property clean and in good condition, and were always cooperative whenever I needed access to the property for maintenance or inspections.
Furthermore, [Tenant’s Name] was a friendly, respectful, and responsible tenant who never caused any issues or disturbances. They were easy to communicate with and always responsive to any requests or concerns.
Based on my experience, I would highly recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant without reservation. They would be an excellent tenant for any landlord or property manager and I have no doubt that they will continue to be a responsible and reliable tenant.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss [Tenant’s Name] further, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am writing to provide a reference for [Tenant’s Name], who was a tenant in one of my rental properties located at [Address of Property]. [Tenant’s Name] leased the property from [Start Date] to [End Date], during which time they were a generally responsible and reliable tenant.
During their tenancy, [Tenant’s Name] was always respectful of the property and neighbors, and they kept the property clean and in good condition. They were cooperative whenever I needed access to the property for maintenance or inspections, and they were easy to communicate with and responsive to any requests or concerns.
However, there were two occasions during their tenancy when [Tenant’s Name] was late with their rent payments. In both instances, they notified me in advance and made arrangements to catch up on the late payment within a reasonable timeframe. Although this was not an ideal situation, I appreciated their honesty and willingness to work with me to resolve the issue.
Overall, based on my experience, I would recommend [Tenant’s Name] as a tenant with some reservations. While they were generally responsible and reliable, the two late rent payments are worth noting. That being said, I believe they have learned from their mistakes and would continue to be a generally good tenant moving forward.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss [Tenant’s Name] further, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Sincerely,
[Landlord’s Name]
Tips on How to Write a Perfect Landlord Reference Letter
- Be specific: Include specific examples of the tenant’s behavior and their positive attributes. This can include things like paying rent on time, taking good care of the property, being respectful to neighbors, and so on.
- Be honest: If the tenant had any issues during their tenancy, be sure to mention them in the letter. This can include late rent payments, property damage, or other issues. However, also mention if the tenant took responsibility for their actions and worked to resolve the issue.
- Keep it professional: Your landlord reference letter should be written in a professional tone and include all the necessary details. Avoid including personal opinions or unrelated information that could be deemed unprofessional.
- Use a formal format: Your letter should be formatted in a formal business letter format with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Use a professional font and format, and double-check for any typos or errors before sending.
- Obtain tenant’s consent: Before writing a landlord reference letter, make sure you have the tenant’s consent to share their information with potential landlords or property managers. This can be done by having the tenant sign a consent form or by including a line in the letter indicating that you have the tenant’s permission to share their information.
- Provide your contact information: Make sure to include your contact information, such as your phone number and email address, so that the recipient can reach out to you if they have any questions or need further information.
Landlord reference letter FAQs
Is the landlord reference letter generator free?
Yes. You can write as many letters as you need at no cost, with no account and no sign-up.
What should a landlord reference letter include?
At minimum, confirm that you were the landlord or property manager, the dates the tenant rented, whether the rent was paid on time, how the tenant maintained the property, and whether you would rent to them again. A line inviting the reader to contact you for more detail rounds it out.
Can I edit the letter and download it as Word or PDF?
Yes. The letter opens in an editable box, so you can change a name, add a detail, or soften a line. Whatever you end up with is exactly what gets copied or downloaded, as a Word document or a PDF.
I’m a tenant — can I use this to draft a reference for my landlord to sign?
You can. Many tenants prepare a draft to make things easy for a busy landlord, who then reviews, adjusts, and signs it. Just keep every detail truthful, since the landlord is the one putting their name to it.
What if the tenant sometimes paid late?
Be honest about it. Choose the option that fits and add a short, fair note. A reference that acknowledges a small issue while still recommending the tenant is far more credible than one that pretends everything was flawless.
Is anything I type saved?
No. The details you enter are used only to write that one letter and are not stored on the site. To generate the letter, your inputs are sent securely to an AI service, the same way any online generator works.
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