Not comfortable giving previous reference

Hi there,

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum. We recently moved out of a property in which we had the most appalling time with the agents, when we viewed the property initially we were told it was getting a full refurb, we turned up with our furniture etc on moving day and we’re greeted by a practically uninhabitable property. Holes in floors, old furniture, mattresses and all kinds left (it was meant to be unfurnished), stained walls, a fridge with a hole through the top, a stench that forced us to be unable to move in for a week until they cleaned the carpets. They didn’t let us pay less rent for the time we weren’t there as they deemed it “habitable” and during the course of our stay we had to get environmental health involved in order for them to do works. The contractor they hired made things worse, we ended up with a hole into the house coming through near the front door which brought rodents in. I could go on and have email and photographic evidence too.

The issue is now that we’re finally out and looking elsewhere we’re asked to provide the most recent reference. When this happened we were declined a property due to the bad reference they gave, which we weren’t told what they said. From looking into them and speaking to others who had these agents they’re clearly making moves to keep our deposit and blame us for the condition of the property, however we left it in a better state than when we moved in.

We have previous landlords who can give perfect references but obviously they aren’t the most recent. This seems criminal to be honest and I’m unsure what to do. I’m living at my Mum’s miles away so now having to spend extra money commuting constantly for work.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you

James

As a LL, those kinds of refs are worth more to me. Those people have got nothing to lose by telling the truth about you. In other words, if they recommend you, they must be doing so legitimately rather than to get you out of their property.

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Is it worth just explaining “we are currently in dispute with the previous letting agents so i dont think a reference from them would be fair and impartial however I have details of previous landlords along witj dates that id be more than happy for you to contact”

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I would also gather your evidence of the communication & condition of the property before you moved in. Showing this to any prospective Landlord might be welcome.

If I was simply told an applicant was ‘in dispute’ with the previous Landlord, this would make me very nervous, as I wouldn’t know who was in the ‘right’, and wouldd be likely to just not take the risk.

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I agree with Karl here. I wouldn’t mention it to a prospective LL as it would be a red flag even if you are in the right. Be proactive. On application say that you already have good references from previous landlord/s. However, if asked about current LL, you’ll need to be honest about current situation. You can however then use the previous LL reference/s to back up your claim that you are good tenants. I would def hear you out on that one if I was fielding your application.

Report the agent to whichever redress scheme they belong to immediately. Send as much evidence as you have.

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