What a Landlord Wants to See
A landlord or letting agent has one main worry: will the rent be paid? To judge that, they ask a prospective tenant for proof of income. A pay stub helps, but many agents also want a short letter from the employer that confirms the person works there, how long they have been employed, whether the job is full time, and roughly what they earn. This certificate is written for exactly that request.
Red and Gold Chevrons on a Landscape Page
The certificate is Letter size landscape, 11 x 8.5 inches. Deep red panels with metallic gold chevron stripes sweep along the top and bottom edges, forming a pointed frame. In the top centre, a square logo and the words COMPANY NAME precede the heading: Certificate of Employment in a script, and FOR RENTAL APPLICATION in bold red capitals. The font pair is Montserrat and Alex Brush.
The text says To Whom It May Concern, then states that the employee, holder of an employee ID or other relevant ID, is currently employed with the company as a job title, has been employed since a start date, and is working full time or part time, with a current monthly or annual salary before taxes. A second paragraph speaks of a consistent work ethic and commitment, and says the certificate is issued on the employee’s request to provide proof of employment for a rental application. The bottom shows the company name and address on the left and an AURTHORIZED SIGNATURE line on the right.
Information to Gather First
- The employee’s full legal name, matching their identity document.
- The exact job title.
- The employment start date.
- Whether the contract is permanent, fixed term or probationary.
- The gross salary, either monthly or annual.
- The name and phone number of someone who can verify.
Pronouns and Brackets
The template offers [he/she/they] as options, so pick one for each use and delete the others. Check the sentence reads naturally after you remove the brackets. Also check the grammar of the choice you make: for example, “has been employed with us since” works for he or she, and “have been employed” for they, so adjust the verb as needed.
Fix the Signature Label
The signature line is labelled AURTHORIZED SIGNATURE. Click it in the editor and correct it to AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE. A spelling error on a letter that a landlord will keep in a file does not help the applicant.
Tips for Employees Asking for the Letter
Ask your employer early, give them the name of the rental agency, and say which details the agent needs. Most employers can issue the letter within a few days. If your pay includes bonuses, ask whether the employer will state a base figure only. A landlord may call the company to confirm, so check that the contact details are right.
Printing and Delivery
Print on company letterhead if possible, or add the logo. Sign in ink. A scanned PDF is often accepted by agencies, but keep the signed original, since some landlords want to see it. The red and gold edges reach the border of the page, so use Fit to page.
Other purpose built versions include the credit card application certificate and the school admission certificate. All are in employment certificates.
