PropertyManagementMaven: There is an ART to Providing a CURRENT Landlord Reference! Shuhh...It is NOT a "Given" for Residents

One of the "profit center" fees I thought I would never charge I am now charging - for RENTAL/Landlord verifications.

I have a policy of ONLY providing this information IN WRITING with a copy to the new landlord AND a copy to my residents * NO She Said/He Said if their new landlord blames ME and the information I am providing for their not getting their new rental home.

I also charge a $25 "forms fee" for this.  I started charging this fee when I was getting Rental Verifications from multiple lenders when departing residents were buying a new house and they were "shopping" for a lender.

I request that these forms be brought to my office ALONG with a $25 check and I will complete them and MAIL them back to my residents and to their new landlord.....sorry, no FAXES.  If the resident wants to hand-deliver the copy to their new landlord, I'll mail them both completed forms.

I just received a landlord verification for a couple who has been with me for 3 years and are moving closer to town.  Their lease is not up for 5+ months and for me to provide a landlord reference NOW is PREmature so I have not responded to their proposed new landlord and I have REconfirmed with them that their lease does not terminate until mid-June.

While many would think that providing this information should be pro-forma for the current landlord, when they purchased a home, my reasoning is that they paid for their appraisal and their credit report.  I have to do work to complete the rent verification/landlord reference form * probably 15 to 20 minutes * so why should I not get paid?  Also, I require the money with the form so that there is no discussion about the fee coming from their security deposit. They have paid a credit or application fee to the NEW landlord, so they should pay me for assisting them in that process.