Eudora, KS · Member since 2008 · 45 posts · 5 votes
I have a SFR in a low income area. I just received an application (with application fee) from a single mother. The local screening service I use didn't come up with any criminal history, but did come up with one rental judgement from 2001 and one medical judgement from 2002 that has been paid. She also has about $8400 worth of unpaid medical bills that have been placed for collection.
My question is, if I call to verify employment, is it leagal to ask how much her monthly income is? Also, if I were to do a month to month lease and she didn't pay, would I still have to go thru the eviction process to get her out?
To add to Wheatie's comments, it is typical for employers to confirm an income figure that you provide them, based on your applicants statements. Same goes for length of employment. In addition, more and more often, they are requesting written authorization to provide any info, as well as your questions in written form (usually faxed). Pay stubs are helpful, but check that they are CURRENT, and then verify they are still employed!
WRT the "rental judgment", I would need an awfully good explanation and confirmation that it has been paid before I even bothered with step #2 to process the application. Medical bills don't bother me at all, as long as they don't run up their consumer debt as well, knowing they will go BK.
Regardless of the reason or circumstance, if any occupant overstays their welcome, your only legal option is eviction when they don't go voluntarily. "Ending" the rental agreement has no effect on someone that just doesn't care.
You need to find out your local law, in case there are any local gotchas.
You should verify income from all your tenants. Not sure if the employeer would tell you or not, but you could ask for pay stubs or bank statements. Having a rental criteria like "gross income 3X rent" should be one of your criteria.
On a month to month, if your tenant was there after the first of the month, didn't give any notice, you didn't give any notice, and they didn't pay, yes, you would need to evict. But, you could also terminate the agreement at that time, and have them out at the end of the month even if an eviction takes longer in your area.
To add to Wheatie's comments, it is typical for employers to confirm an income figure that you provide them, based on your applicants statements. Same goes for length of employment. In addition, more and more often, they are requesting written authorization to provide any info, as well as your questions in written form (usually faxed). Pay stubs are helpful, but check that they are CURRENT, and then verify they are still employed!
WRT the "rental judgment", I would need an awfully good explanation and confirmation that it has been paid before I even bothered with step #2 to process the application. Medical bills don't bother me at all, as long as they don't run up their consumer debt as well, knowing they will go BK.
Regardless of the reason or circumstance, if any occupant overstays their welcome, your only legal option is eviction when they don't go voluntarily. "Ending" the rental agreement has no effect on someone that just doesn't care.
I agree with both of these guys and hopefully this won't sound as harsh as it may come across... I know this woman is in a rough spot (from your description), but do not make a renting decision from your emotions... it will come back to bite you in one way or the other.
You should have your own 'qualifying criteria' and one of those should be that the renter grosses 3x the amount of rent every month.
And I am unclear if that is a rental judgment that has been paid or if she was evicted... it is possible but would be really rare for their to be a 'rental judgment' on her credit report without it having gone to court.
AND if she still has medical bills to pay, it seems like you are putting yourself in a dangerous place.
AND, yes, you would have to go through the normal eviction route costing you more money, time and hassle...
I know it's easier said than done, but save yourself from the hassle and find someone else.
Oh yeah, and you are entitled to ask the prospective tenant for income verification (last year's top sheet from her taxes or a current paycheck stub)... from there, you can call the employer to make sure her story on her credit report (length of employment and income) match what her employer says.