Reference Request Pack (UK)

Who it's for

• Employers, small landlords and letting agents who need to ask for references fairly
• Referees asked to write a reference, or who need to decline politely
• Applicants who want to tell the other side what to expect, or to ask someone to be their referee

What's included

• About this pack — What a reference is, the law and the key figures
• Is this pack right for you? — What a reference cannot do, and when to take advice
• Before you start — What to gather and decide before you ask
• How to fill it in — Which form to use, the key and a worked example
• Request forms — Forms A to F: employer, landlord, income, academic, notice, asking a referee
• Sending and receiving — How to send a request and what to do with the reply
• Referee letters — Letters G to J: reply, character reference, court reference, decline
• Landlord screening guide — Right to Rent, fees, fairness and the questions to avoid
• What happens next — Keeping and deleting references, subject access, and what to do if things go wrong

Key points covered

• Request forms: employer, previous landlord, income and academic referee
• Referee letters: facts-only reply, character, court and polite decline
• An applicant's notice and permission letter, and a letter asking for a referee
• Forms that avoid health and family questions before a job offer
• Landlord screening guide: Right to Rent, tenant fees, fairness and keeping records
• The law in plain English, checked November 2026, with a worked example

Read the guide

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