Is it ok to ask a potential tenant for 1 or 2 yrs tax returns to verify income?

[Account Closed]

About to screen a tenant for a rental. In addition to asking for their credit report, employment & rental history and contacts, can I also ask them for 1 or 2 years tax returns to verify income?

[John C.]

If they are self employed most definitely. And bank statements as well.

If they work for a company then their paystubs plus a verification of employment should do the job there. Someone will need to call and verify a) that they still work there, b) what their salary is, and c)how long they have been with the company. Of course the more info you have the better so as Douglas mentioned above if it is a high demand rental area then why not?

John