Carrollton, TX · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 0 votes
Nice couple with two small children trying to rent my house. The guy is a U.S Citizen, wife is undocumented. She doesn't have a SSN. Is this cause for concern if everything checks out on the husband? I have read many posts about the subject but none talks about one of the family members being illegal.
I will have no problem getting another tenant so I am not desperate by any means. Just trying to see if I should go through with this one. They are very interested.
I wouldn't let the immigration status of the wife stop you. The wife may have an ITIN instead of SSN. Have you seen their US tax return? Do they file jointly? Regardless of whether a person has an ITIN or SSN, you can still do background checks. Look at the income and track record for the household. I'd be more concerned about their rental history and current verifiable income. If they like your place, they are likely to stay a long time if they feel welcome and safe. Good long term tenancies are valuable. People come to the US for many reasons. There are many barriers on the path to citizenship and many reasons people land in this country without the benefit of legal status. If they are good people and contribute well for good of the community, I wouldn't hesitate.
Isn't someone who marries a US citizen eligible for residency/citizenship? My brother married a non citizen and that was part of why she could stay but it was long ago. For me in that situation I would not worry about it.