Posted by Nike on August 18, 2009 at 09:11:24:
This topic is catnip for the yahoos. Check your local/state laws. Federal law does not require you to inquire as to their legal status. If you don’t want to know the answer don’t ask. Good luck.
Should I rent my house to illegal immigrant? - Posted by John
Posted by John on August 18, 2009 at 01:55:25:
I had a nice family come view my rental home which is currently vacant. Husbnad, wife…and 2 kids.
They informed me they are currently “working” on getting their papers but have been here for several years.
Are there laws against me renting to illegal immigrant?
What if I am “unaware” they are illegal?
Is it the landlords responsibility to determine who is legal or not?
Husband and wife both have jobs and own 3 cars…so, financially, I believe they will be no problem. Also, b/c they are without papers, I would assume they would be more than willing to send in the rent pmts on time…fearing any trouble with the law.
Should I just rent it out and if it’s a problem, evict them?
Re: Should I rent my house to illegal immigrant? - Posted by John
Posted by John on September 06, 2009 at 04:50:39:
Illegal immigrants are generally more reliable tenants. Being illegal they tend to want to behave so as to not draw attention to themselves or the ire of someone whom could report them.
That aside. If any problems forget about actually collecting from the illegal. Without the paper and money trail created by the existence of a real social security number tied to the person you are dealing with, you really have no way to actually legal trace that person and collect from him.
Re: Should I rent my house to illegal immigrant? - Posted by StevenS(CPA)
Posted by StevenS(CPA) on August 24, 2009 at 22:13:40:
I live in Los Angeles where more than half of the people are illegal or have parents who were illegal.
They are no different than anyone else and shouldn’t be treated differently. Plus my limited experience in renting to immigrants is they are some of the best renters and very loyal.
But that’s just my limited opinion.
Possible collateral for security deposit? - Posted by John Merchant
Posted by John Merchant on August 18, 2009 at 10:45:49:
Some of my most reliable borrowers have very possibly been illegals.
I do some pretty thorough checking on their references or demand and get their FICOs so I don’t exactly go into the deals blind.
One such couple, from Phillipines as I recall, has now had several loans from me and they’ve performed extremely well.
Their relationship with bank is minimal and mutually distrustful so they need a pvt lender like me.
In a number of deals I’ve been able to get a car title or something to protect me in case of tenant or borrower going bad and not paying me.
If you did that then you’d be protected to a degree if INS did pick up and deport your tenant.
I have a friend who has a used car lot and business and he lives on financing their purchases. He tells me he almost never has to repo a car as if his buyer gets in trouble with his note a phone call or very rarely a personal visit normally gets the vehicle back undamaged.
I’d advise talking to some local lawyer and having that L draw up a little agreement for such that would be in compliance with your state’s Landlord/Tenant laws and which you could then use repeatedly.