Q: Are landlords limited in any way on the information they can give to prospective landlords or others about past tenants?
We rented a home infested with termites. LL even admitted to us he knew it was infested prior to renting to us (the fix he told us he used was applying about 12 layers of paint to the walls to slow the bugs from emerging). Apr 2016 our lease ended. We chose monthly terms hoping to find a new home. LL gave us a rental reference in April (he knew we would be leaving with little notice). Jul 3 LL waived 30 days of rent (as compensation for damage to our belongings from termites-no I didn't get it in writing). Jul 20 2016 we got the money saved up to move, gave notice to the LL we were moving Aug 10, and then LL gave us a 3-day notice (actually dated Aug 5 -- so 15 day) to pay the waived rent, plus Aug rent, by Aug 5. We left Aug 5. My concern is if we give the rental ref from April to a new landlord, and the new LL happens to call, the old LL will give us bad ref. What comes to mind is the limited amount of info past employers are allowed to share with prospective employers. Are LL
A: The only reason that past employers are reluctant to tell potential employers all the employment details is that they are concerned about liability for defamation. It's the same in the landlord-tenant situation. There is no specific law prohibiting disclosure of information, and as long as they are truthful there is little potential for you to bring a successful defamation action.
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