Make it a law that all renters have the right to request any written statements about them from their previous landlord.

In the past, many tenant/ landlord relationships end up sour. However, in situations like these, the previous landlord has the upper hand. When you are asked to give references on a rental application the previous landlord could slander your name without you knowing, and making it almost impossible for your future rental application to be excepted. The potential landlord does not have to disclose the information about you, to you, from your previous landlord. So, there's no way of knowing why your rental applications keep getting denied. If this becomes a law, it would be an incentive for previous landlords to be truthful about your past tenancy with them, fearing a deformation of character for slander or libel lawsuit.