How to politely phrase this email

[ThisChic]

Ok, so this is not strictly ´AIBU’, but I am posting here for traffic.

I’m moving to a new city for work, and a former colleague (who I had a very good relationship with), who knows lots of people there, if they know any decent private landlords.

I know I can look on Spareroom and contact letting agents etc (and I will if need be), but I’d take a personal recommandation from someone I know over that, as there are lots of dodgy landlords out there…

How would you phrase the email?

I would literally say that…

Hi x, I hope you’re doing well at x (try to drop in something personal to show you remember them on a better level and not just using them for this email)

Im moving to NYC for work soon so the apartment hunting has begun. I was wondering if you know any good private landlords you could recommend to me?

I hope you don’t mind me asking, I am also searching on spare room etc but I’d much rather take a personal recommendation

Thanks

Also ask who to avoid.

Is she likely to know landlords? Wouldn't it be better to ask her where to look for apartments - which agencies or websites?

Make sure you make it clear you are not asking to stay with her!

I'm moving to NYC for work

OP is moving to a new city, not New York City.

Oh I absolutely will - I thought looking for a private landlord wouldn’t imply that I was asking to stay with him anyway? Would be incredibly odd to ask to live with a former colleague!!

ChatGPT is great for this type of thing.

ChatGPT is your friend.
Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’m moving to [New City] soon for work and thought of you—especially since you know the area and have such a solid network there. I was wondering if you happen to know of any good private landlords or rental options you’d recommend?

I’m looking for a decent place and would really value any local tips or connections you might be able to share. No pressure at all, but if anything comes to mind, I’d be really grateful.

Hope everything’s going great with you—would love to catch up once I’m settled!

All the best,
[Your Name]

I would write the email then ask ChatGPT to make it sound friendlier/happier etc rather than asking it just to draft an email from scratch, they are obviously AI and not personal and they irritate me!

I've actually never used Chat GPT!

Hi, I hope you are well and will not mind me asking. I am in the process of looking to move to... and was wondering if you know any private landlords in that area. Whilst I know I can look on.... for details I felt asking someone I value and respect the opinions of for personal recommendations would be far more beneficial.

Okay thanks for letting me know but not sure why that matters enough to correct me. OP could have been moving to Timbuktu but my email suggestion would have been the same 😂