Ever rent to illegal immigrants?

Question

I live in the top floor of a duplex, and had a gentleman stop by today asking to rent the bottom unit.

He stated that he and his family are illegal immigrants, but have decent jobs and enough income to meet a portion of my rental criteria.

However, without social security numbers or credit, it obviously becomes difficult to do full background checks and pull credit.

In the world of eviction moratoriums, I’m extremely cautious about renting to them but if they pay a higher rent, I am curious if it will work.

Anyone think the relationship will be symbiotic since they don’t want to get deported i.e hopefully always pay rent on time, no noise complaints, in general stay under the radar?

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Shawn Kane probably the strongest argument against illegal immigrants is because they get exploited by things such as paying higher rents and under market salaries. Landlords take advantage of illegal immigrants because they can't complain for fear of being reported. You can't exploit people based on national origin. Exploitation would be charging them extra or holding their immigration status as a threat.

If you want to rent to them, treat them like anyone else. If you require a social security /tax ID number for credit checks and photo ID, you have to require this of everyone. You can't apply different rules to different people. Many illegal immigrants actually do pay taxes, have a tax payer ID and have a state photo ID.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

In my experience the worst wear was when I rented to people with grown kids. I am talking wear more than damage. Adults are bigger and take more showers, so everything gets more use. Anyone can damage a property. Less people is always better, whether they are big or little people. Pet damage is not really related to family size, but rather how responsible the owners are.

Lynnette E. · Answer

Joe, do you think that adults provide more wear and tear than kids and pets, or is it  close living situations with more adults?

I have a few large houses and seem to do well with  multigenerational families.  With grandparents and parents the house seems cleaner, kids watched.  Less dog chewing on the trim and pee on the floor.  Have I just bern lucky?

Alexander Kleyman · Answer

Not taking sides on pro or against the issue at hand ... but grounds for discrimination would be based on what reason you gave for rejection. If you could not verify employment and verify W2s that would be a very legit reason. If you have a set and written minimum requirements criteria and the potential tenant can not fulfill all the check boxes, it’s not a discrimination.

Bill O'Donnell · Answer

@Beth Vandroff

Yes. It is risky. I tried to make that point in my first comment.

Its also risky, in NYC, to not rent to them.  Discrimination and such.

Honestly, I had overall good experience with the few I rented to, but it is not ideal for many reasons...

Theresa Harris · Answer

Check their references and employment.  As long as they pay the rent on time, stick to the terms of the lease (no subletting) and take care of the place, why not?  Like anyone else, do inspections to ensure they are abiding by the terms of the lease.

Caroline Gerardo · Answer

Verify employment, go see where they currently reside, write lease with increased rents for increased occupant count, you cannot discriminate and they may end up being long term great tenants

Steve Morris · Answer

Two problems:

1) Water bill goes out of sight

2) Lot of extra moisture from too many people in the unit means more likely to get mold.

Steve Morris · Answer

In Portland, sure I get asked, but I cannot discriminate here based on residence status.

Having said that, a good point is they pay in cash on 1st of the month and are no trouble at all.  Downside, you really have to enforce capacity rules (2/bedroom + 1).  They like to sublease bedrooms out.

Thomas Greer · Answer

I don't think I would be able to say "yes" without socials/w-2 and a greater paper trail.  My PM does the initial vetting.  That said, if they could provide the support necessary where as I didn't KNOW they were illegal, then I would say yes.

Basically, if my vetting process is ambivalent to their status, then I wouldn't know.  If there status precludes them from providing the info PM/I require, then it's a "no".

Ever rent to illegal immigrants?

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