Man's flat application is withdrawn after asking for references

Comedian who asked prospective landlord for ‘three references from previous tenants’ revealed his application was WITHDRAWN by letting agency because they couldn’t accommodate his request

  • Comedian Tom Cashman, from Sydney, Australia, had been approved for a flat   
  • When he asked for the landlord to do the same he withdrew his application
  • Shared the story on TikTok with hundreds of people saying they wished landlords provided references

A comedian has revealed a potential landlord withdrew his rental application after he asked for references from previous tenants.

Tom Cashman, from Sydney, Australia, had been approved for a flat after giving several references from previous landlords.

However, when he asked for the landlord to do the same he entered into a bizarre tussle with a letting agent who denied his request.     

He shared a video of the exchange on TikTok, where it’s racked up more than two million views, with many renters saying they’d love to have spoke to a previous tenant before moving into their property.

Reply to @focusforte Landlord Reference request update #renting #sydney #rentalproperty #realestateagent #fy #fyp #foryou

‘I wanted to know if the landlord was good to their tenants,’ he explained, as he showed a picture of the email requesting references from an agent named Stephanie. 

‘The response was a bit more intense than I was expecting,’ he added. 

‘They didn’t respond for four days, so I followed it up. She then responded “I don’t understand the question, please clarify.”

He then shared a screenshot of an email from Stephanie, explaining:  ‘The owner does not wish to connect the previous tenants and that is not a requirement. All the best with your property search,’ the agent responded.

‘She said unfortunately the owner will not provide a reference as they are not in contact with the previous tenant,’ he said. 

Tom told the agent he was surprised the landlord didn’t have an email address of a previous tenant on record – before receiving a separate email saying his application had been withdrawn.

After querying this, Stephanie told Tom the landlord was no longer interested as he wants a ‘short term let’. 

A comedian has revealed a potential landlord withdrew his rental application after he asked for references from previous tenants

‘This wasn’t a requirement before I got approved,’ Tom added.

He admitted his exchange definitely ‘pissed Stephanie off’, but called on future rental applicants to ask for landlord references to normalise the practice.

‘In conclusion, I think asking for a reference is a good idea. However, if they can’t find anyone, I would advise rubbing their nose in it, because they will immediately reject your application,’ he said.

The video quickly racked up more than a million views with dozens of people saying they wish they had references and sharing horror stories.

Tom Cashman, from Sydney, Australia, had been approved for a flat after giving several references from previous landlords. However, when he asked for the landlord to do the same he entered into a bizarre tussle with a letting agent who denied his request.

‘My last landlord hung a dead pigeon on a stake in my front yard. I definitely would like any future tenants to know that,’ said one.  

‘Suggestion: leave a review about this experience with the agency/ wherever else you can. Hold them accountable so people looking at these apt know,’ added another.  

‘I am a landlord – I would happily give out references, I think some sort of score sheet would be great to make it fair across the board…’ said a third

‘As a landlord I’m all good with this,’ added a fourth.

He shared a video of the exchange on TikTok, where it’s racked up more than two million views, with many renters saying they’d love to have spoke to a previous tenant before moving into their property

‘Huh. This is a bit passive aggressive, but like, in a good way,’ joked one user. 

‘It’s not a requirement.” Actually, the landlord doesn’t get to decide what YOUR requirements are,’ commented another. 

‘My last landlord said “I’m not going to spend money fixing things in a house I don’t live in” wish I couldn’t told the next tenants that,’ bemoaned one. 

 ‘“It’s not a requirement” of course it isn’t Stephanie, neither is extorting people just trying to live on planet earth,’ said one. 

Tom shared screenshots of the email to the amusement of more than two million users who spotted the video

‘This is great. You literally have to disclose every aspect of your life and finance yet we can’t get a good reference???’ said one. 

‘The GOD COMPLEX these real estate agents have omg,’ added another.  

‘The fact that it’s never occurred to me to ask for one,’ commented one.

‘Omg. I’m doing this from now on. MAKE THIS A THING. Do you KNOW how many headaches and abuses we could stop?’ said one. 

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