Landlord reference request letter (California)
Legal advice recommended before use.
A reference from a previous landlord is one of the strongest things you can bring to a new application. Make it easy for them to say yes with a short, polite request — and in California, you can fold that reference into a single reusable screening report so you're not asking again and again. (On CertRent, references are even stronger — we confirm the reference actually owns the building.)
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Frequently asked questions
Is my old landlord legally required to give me a reference in California?
No. Neither California Civil Code nor Los Angeles Municipal Code obligates a former landlord to write you a reference — it's a courtesy. Keeping the request short and specific (dates, address, one sentence they can copy) makes a "yes" much more likely.
What is a "reusable tenant screening report" and how does it relate to this letter?
Under Cal. Civil Code § 1950.1 (enacted by AB 2559, effective 2023), a tenant can generate one verified screening report — which can include landlord references and rental history — and reuse it across applications for up to 30 days, instead of a new landlord re-verifying everything each time. If a landlord opts in to accepting reusable reports, they must post that at the listing/application and generally can't charge a separate screening fee once you provide one within the window.
Can my prospective landlord charge me to verify this reference?
California caps what a landlord can charge for screening/application costs under Cal. Civil Code § 1950.6 — a 1997 base of $30 per applicant, adjusted annually for inflation (commonly reported in the mid-$60s in recent years; confirm the current-year figure) — and that fee must reflect actual out-of-pocket screening costs — it isn't a separate charge just to call a reference.
What if my former landlord doesn't respond?
Follow up once, politely, after a week or two. If they're unreachable, bank records showing on-time rent payments, a copy of your lease, or a CertRent-verified rent history can substitute for a personal reference on most applications.
Is this letter legal advice?
No — it's a template to make a request easier, not a legal document. Landlord-tenant rules can vary by city ordinance (e.g., Los Angeles RSO) as well as state law; if a dispute comes up, consult a tenant attorney or a local legal aid organization.
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