Clara automatically contacts previous landlords for you—giving you standardized, objective feedback on every renter's history without the back-and-forth phone tag.
How the Process Works
1. Renters provide previous landlord information During their application, renters enter contact details for their previous landlords:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Property address managed
- Rental period dates
2. Clara sends automated questionnaires Once a renter submits, Clara immediately emails a professional questionnaire to each reference. No manual outreach needed from you.
3. You receive standardized responses References answer four key questions that give you consistent, comparable feedback across all applicants:
- Did the renter pay their rent on time and in full?
- Did the renter take good care of the home or property?
- Was the renter a courteous neighbor?
- Would you rent to this person again?
4. You can follow up directly Every reference includes full contact information, so you can call or email with additional questions.
Accessing Reference Details in Reports
In the renter's screening report:
- Navigate to the "References" section
- See a summary view of each reference
- Click "View" to expand and see:
- Complete landlord contact information
- All questionnaire responses
- Rental period details
Use the provided phone number or email to contact references directly for follow-up questions or to verify details.
Reference Timing
Ideal scenario: References respond before you review the application, and all information is available when you open the report.
Real-world flexibility: If a reference responds after the renter has already submitted, you'll receive a separate email notification letting you know new reference information has been added. Simply refresh the report to view it.
How Many References Should Renters Provide?
Renters can add unlimited references. We recommend requesting at least 2-3 for a comprehensive view of rental history.
You control this through your application settings—mark references as required or optional based on your screening needs.
Why Automated References Matter
Saves you time: No more playing phone tag with previous landlords or sending emails manually.
Standardized questions: Every reference answers the same questions, making it easy to compare rental history across applicants.
Documented responses: All questionnaire answers are recorded in the renter's report for your records.
Prevents fraud: Renters can't fabricate reference responses—questionnaires go directly to the contact information they provide.
Best Practices for Using References
Always review the full reference details Don't just skim the summary—click "View" to read complete questionnaire responses and see all contact information.
Consider calling key references While Clara's automated questionnaires save time, calling the most recent landlord can provide valuable context:
- Ask follow-up questions about specific concerns
- Verify the reference actually managed the property
- Gauge their tone and willingness to re-rent
Look for patterns Multiple references with similar feedback (positive or negative) give you more confidence in your assessment than a single reference.
Verify contact information If something seems off, verify that the phone number or email actually belongs to a property manager or landlord—not the renter's friend or family member.
What Makes References Reliable
Actual email addresses required: References receive direct emails from Clara, not forwarded by the renter.
Full contact information visible: You can verify and follow up with every reference directly.
Renters can't fake responses: Clara sends questionnaires directly to the email address provided—renters can't submit responses on behalf of references.