Advice please - I need to write a reference....

[meriad]

a friend of mine has asked me to write a character reference as she's moving into a new flat and her current landlord is refusing to give her one (as she for VERY good reasons is breaking the lease 8 months early).

She's an amazing person and I would trust her with my life and she's a fantastic tenant.... so what do i say without going to gushy and over the top but still keeping it personal as it is a personal reference?

any advice please and I'll clobber something together from the various answers

thanks!!!

[Rodo]

There are websites which help you in writing things like this. Sorry but I haven't got a link, but they can be found with a bit of searching.

[Kaz]

I think if you just say how long you have known her, how you know her, that she is trustworthy and honest etc.............No need to go overboard

[Workingman]

A friend opened a lettings agency and I helped him out for a while. Kaz has said the essentials, keep it simple, stick to facts and don't go overboard. All the landlord really wants to know is that they can trust the tenant not to wreck the place or do a runner leaving big bills behind.

Fugi might be a good source of info when she's about.

[meriad]

Thanks everyone... I had a look at a few websites and put something together which I got my friend to check first and then sent off... short and sweet; a three line email.

I do feel for my friend - she had told me in the past how bad the flat was but yesterday she showed me photos of what she's actually been putting up with; horrendous.

[TheOstrich]

Agree with Kaz and WM, always keep it short and simple. A "three-liner" sounds about right!

[Kaz]

I hope she gets the flat

[JoM]

:) I hope she gets the flat

Yes, so do I...fingers crossed for good news for her

[meriad]

So do I; it looks amazing... in the Hampton Wick area (opposite Kingston-upon-Thames) - overlooking the river! I can already see myself sitting on her balcony sipping a glass of chilled bubbly or white wine

[Kaz]

I know that area - lovely