Tenants want references before they move out

Can someone tell me if this is standard or what the law is on this?
The tenants are moving out in 2 weeks and they want references now.
I am unable to check the condition of the house until after they leave as they are being extremely unreasonable by not allowing me to show the house to other tenants before they vacate.
I don't want to give them references until after they are gone as I want to check the condition of the house and ensure that all bills are paid before I hand back the deposits and give references?
does anyone know the legal inns-and-outs of all this?
Thanks

There is no law requiring you to give any references at all.

It is simple, they dont get references until you inspect the place and ideally not until they move out.

From a legal point of view there is nothing to worry about.

I made this mistake as the tenant gave me a sob story about not having the deposit for their new house and needing the deposit and references to secure the house.

I gave them both their deposit and references and they left me with a whole load of crap to get rid of which meant me paying for a skip. They also left the house in a horrible mess.

Rookie mistake on my part, dont make the same mistake I did.

You are not under any legal obligation to provide any references & TBH, they are a waste of time.

as they are being extremely unreasonable by not allowing me to show the house to other tenants before they vacate.

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Your tenant is under no obligation to allow you to show the property to anyone. They are entitled to the exclusive use of the house, thats what they pay their rent for. As a landlord, I have never understood this. I would personally prefer to have the opportunity to clean, paint, repair etc so the new tenants are getting the house in the manner I expect them to hand it back to me.

If I was a tenant, I would never agree to allow a landlord show strangers around with my personal belongings around.

Clearly they do need their reference before they move out. Their next potential landlord is going to want a reference before they sign the new lease, not after they move in.

Trying to show the apt with them still there is bad for both the existing tenant & any potential ones, who then can't have a good look around, in cupboards, etc.
Ask to do a preliminary inspection now, to check for major problems, and then give them the reference.
The deposit should be returned only after they move out & you're happy with the condition of the place.

What about this as an "interim reference" with final version to follow after they leave and all the ducks have been lined up and dealt with :

"[Insert Today' Date]

To Whom It May Concern.

Dick and Jane have been my tenants at 123 Main Street since 09/08/2008 and to-date the tenancy has been trouble-free and the rent and utility-bills have been paid on time.

Dick and Jane have served me with appropriate notice of their intention to end the current lease agreement on [Insert Today' Date + 2 weeks], and I have accepted their notice.

As Dick and Jane have not yet vacated the property, I have had no opportunity to do a detailed inspection and have been unable to take readings from the utility meters and finalise issues relating to deposits, etc.

If you require any further information, please call me on 082 555 9999 after [Insert Today' Date + 2 weeks].

Yours etc,

mrso'brien
landperson
123 Main Street."

mrso'brien said:

I am unable to check the condition of the house until after they leave as they are being extremely unreasonable by not allowing me to show the house to other tenants before they vacate.

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Have you asked them can you and you alone check the house have a quick look at the house before you issue their references?

Not many tenents want the hassle of having strangers in viewing the house while they still have all their stuff in the house. I may be wrong but it sounds like you are trying to punish them for that.

Most tenents need their references before leaving as they need the reference to secure their next rental accomadation.

If they've been good tenants (no hassles paying rent on time etc.) then give them the reference and stick your phone number on it, preferably a landline. If they've not been good tenants then don't give them one.

Any landlord with half a brain will verify the reference at least with a phonecall and you can dish the dirt on them then if they wreck your house in the meantime.

Tomorrow said:

I made this mistake as the tenant gave me a sob story about not having the deposit for their new house and needing the deposit and references to secure the house.

I gave them both their deposit and references and they left me with a whole load of crap to get rid of which meant me paying for a skip. They also left the house in a horrible mess.

Rookie mistake on my part, dont make the same mistake I did.

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Ive been caught like that too.
Never again.
Get them to ask the new landlord to call you for a verbal reference. You'll give them the deposit and a written reference after they move out.