Advice on negative recommendations from landlords? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

passthru · 02-16-2007, 01:23 PM

So, I'm looking for a new apartment closer to work to cut down on my commute time. I have a good relationship with my current landlord and she has given a positive recommendation to the new place I'm looking at.
The landlord at my previous house has given me a negative recommendation claiming that I still owe her money. Because of that negative I'm being denied, even though the positive recommendation is from the landlord I've been with for 13 months and the negative was only my landlord for ~8 months.
The only way the background checking company will change their result is if the landlord changes her recommendation, even if I can prove she is lying. That's bad news for me because she's.. Well she's a little crazy and seems to have a poor grip on reality.

I don't actually owe her money, nor can she prove that I do. She is claiming that the lease was for 12 months and since I left after 8 I owe her money. The one I signed said 6. Unfortunately for my roommates and I, we lost our copy of the lease.. When we learned she was claiming the lease was for 12 months, we requested that she send us a copy. She sent pages 2-5, i.e. every page except the one stating the term of the lease. She has refused to acknowledge this omission or even discuss it with us.

Has anybody had an experience like this? Do you know of any legal options I may have that would prevent her from giving the negative recommendation?

thingstodo · 02-17-2007, 01:43 PM

Why don't you take her to small claims court? The cost is minimal and it couldn't hurt. Might even write a letter to the BBB; send a copy to her first letting her know you'll send it to the BBB in five days from her reciept if she fails to resolve the issue.

Frankly, I'm surprised that you could be denied. I thought aparment complexes used credit reports. I sure wouldn't have listed that address if I had any idea there would be a problem.

02-16-2007, 01:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
passthru Addict Location: Portland, OR	Advice on negative recommendations from landlords? So, I'm looking for a new apartment closer to work to cut down on my commute time. I have a good relationship with my current landlord and she has given a positive recommendation to the new place I'm looking at. The landlord at my previous house has given me a negative recommendation claiming that I still owe her money. Because of that negative I'm being denied, even though the positive recommendation is from the landlord I've been with for 13 months and the negative was only my landlord for ~8 months. The only way the background checking company will change their result is if the landlord changes her recommendation, even if I can prove she is lying. That's bad news for me because she's.. Well she's a little crazy and seems to have a poor grip on reality. I don't actually owe her money, nor can she prove that I do. She is claiming that the lease was for 12 months and since I left after 8 I owe her money. The one I signed said 6. Unfortunately for my roommates and I, we lost our copy of the lease.. When we learned she was claiming the lease was for 12 months, we requested that she send us a copy. She sent pages 2-5, i.e. every page except the one stating the term of the lease. She has refused to acknowledge this omission or even discuss it with us. Has anybody had an experience like this? Do you know of any legal options I may have that would prevent her from giving the negative recommendation?

02-17-2007, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Why don't you take her to small claims court? The cost is minimal and it couldn't hurt. Might even write a letter to the BBB; send a copy to her first letting her know you'll send it to the BBB in five days from her reciept if she fails to resolve the issue. Frankly, I'm surprised that you could be denied. I thought aparment complexes used credit reports. I sure wouldn't have listed that address if I had any idea there would be a problem. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.