Once you’ve found the place you’d like to rent, you need to go through the entire rental process from filling out the application, providing proof of income, background and credit checks, and more before you can sign the lease. All of these tasks can be daunting, but it’s all part of the leasing process. You may also need to provide personal references, which can cause additional stress. You’re eager to get the apartment and want your reference to reflect you in the best light. So, who do you choose as your personal references? Whether you’re hoping to move into an apartment in Dallas, TX or eyeing a Raleigh, NC rental, we’ll walk through who to include (or exclude) when it comes to choosing a personal reference for your apartment.
Who to choose as your personal reference for an apartment application
Most landlords or property managers will request a list of personal references as part of the application process. This is another way for them to verify who you are, get to know your character, and gauge if you’ll be a reliable tenant. Likewise, you may want to check out who your future landlord is.
Because personal references can influence a landlord’s decision to rent to you or not, you want to choose your references wisely. Here are some people who make for good references on a rental application.
1. Past landlords
The best choice for a personal reference is a past property manager, assuming you left on good terms. Previous landlords will know how you were as a tenant, how you left the apartment when you vacated it, and your ability to pay rent on time. If you can include your previous landlord as a personal reference, their words will carry a lot of weight.
2. Managers or coworkers
While you may be friends with your manager or coworker, they’re your professional colleagues first and foremost. This relationship allows them to speak to your professionalism and conduct, which is what a landlord is looking to better understand. Your manager will be able to speak to your reliability and work ethic.
3. Coaches or mentors
Coaches and mentors are also good options when it comes to choosing a personal reference. They’ll likely know your goals, values, and strengths, and will be able to speak to your landlord about those things.
4. Professors or teachers
If you’re a student or recent graduate, academic professors or teachers can be good personal references because they’ll also know your work ethic and drive. If a student is dedicated to their work, it’s a good indicator they’re dedicated and motivated in other areas of their lives, like maintaining an apartment.
Who not to choose as a personal reference
Keep in mind, a landlord is using your personal reference as a way to understand if you’re reliable and will make a good future tenant. Landlords are looking for red flags so they don’t sign a lease with someone who will end up causing stress and problems in the future. While the people listed above are all good options of who to choose as your personal reference, there are people you’ll want to exclude as well.
1. Partner or spouse
Your significant other may know you the best, but they’re likely biased, and the future landlord will know that. Avoid listing a partner or spouse as your rental reference because a landlord will likely take their opinion with a grain of salt.
2. Close family members
For similar reasons, family members are not your best choice as a personal reference. Obviously, your family members want the best for you, so they may not give the landlord an honest opinion on your rental eligibility. If the landlord can’t get an unbiased opinion from a reference, they’ll likely disregard what they have to say.
3. Close friends
Just like family members or romantic partners, a close friend is not the optimal choice as a personal reference. Property owners are looking for references who can vouch for your ability to pay your bills on time or your reliability as a potential tenant.
Why do landlords ask for personal references?
Landlords assume a degree of risk whenever they lease an apartment to a tenant. The last thing they want to do is approve a renter who doesn’t pay their rent on time (or at all) or causes problems for themselves or other tenants. References give the landlord a window into the character and reliability of a potential tenant.
Information they might want to learn includes potential tenant’s income and ability to pay rent, reliability, ability to take care of the property. If a tenant has any potential red flags such as a low credit score or prior evictions, references can provide additional context or assure the property manager that steps are being taken to resolve these issues.
Best practices for choosing references for an apartment
Now that you have a list of who to choose as a personal reference, here are a few best practices to keep in mind.
1. Always notify your references beforehand
If you’re going to use a previous landlord or professor as a reference, it’s common courtesy to ask if they’re willing to be a reference and let them know you’ll be giving out their contact information. It can look unprofessional if a landlord were to call a reference and they had no idea what was going on.
2. Provide multiple options in case someone isn’t available
It’s smart to provide a list of at least two personal references in case the first person is unavailable. Landlords want to speak to personal references, and if they can’t get a hold of anyone, they may pass on your application.
3. Clearly identify your references
To make things easier for the landlord, clearly annotate your references’ relationship to you in the apartment application. This helps the property manager understand who they’ll be calling and what to expect on the call.
