What happens if a prospective landlord calls us for a reference on a former resident?

You must get the former resident’s permission before discussing the tenancy, and then can only provide information the resident authorizes. For example, someone may say you can provide information on whether rent was paid on time, but not if there were any complaints.

You can obtain permission from former residents in writing, or by speaking to them on the phone. Ensure you are speaking to the right person by asking for the birth date of a child or the resident to check against the information in the file.

If the resident was evicted for a health or safety related issue, call BC Housing’s Manager of Administrative Services for assistance.