Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Tenant References: How do I answer questions...

My general advise to landlords is to explain that you have a policy, as a landlord, of only providing the following information: confirm the date they moved in, the date they vacated (or intend to vacate), the amount of rent they paid and if the rent was paid on time or not. Tell them that based upon your experience, you chose not to provide any additional information to prospective landlords, and that your policy of not providing any more information does not reflect either positively nor negatively upon your tenant, its just designed to protect you from any potential liability. Most experienced landlords understand this sort of policy, and don't infer any positive or negatives to the information you provided. Some may automatically infer "problem" when you do this, but that's not your fault, nor is it your problem. Any information that is even remotely subjective (was she a good tenant, follow the rules, etc...) is potentially going to get you in trouble with either the tenant (causes her not to get an apartment) or the landlord (your assessment of the tenant wasn't accurate). If they pry for more info, you can explain exactly that to them - that your experience as a landlord has taught you to provide only 100% objectively verifiable information, and that's it. Very impportant that you not answer the question they will undoubtedly ask "would you rent to her again?"

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