Renting to an employer for employees with no ssn

Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes

Man reached out to rent my unit for his 4 employees on a 6 month job. He qualifies and passed credit/background/income check, but they do not have ssn and my PM software requires it. Since they are the occupants I want a background check. He has sent me 2/4 passports (from central america) since he doesnt know the other 2 he will send (he is in AL, job is in SC). I don't know how to proceed or if I should. I am thinking international background check, but not sure the accuracy with only passport info and which service to choose. TIA

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Drew SygitBusiness Member

Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes

1mo

You should only be underwriting the employer and getting their personal guarantee.

We do this often with our MTRs - and often it's an insurance company placing a family while their home is being fixed after a fire.

You're complicating things if you continue to pursue documenting the actual occupants.
- What happens if the employer swaps out 2 workers during the lease?

All you'll really want is one point of contact at the property.

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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
1mo
Generally not a great idea. At an absolute minimum, you need a personal guarantee (and verification of HIS position as an officer in the company) from the employer, and he should have plenty of verifiable assets. Also check individuals here, and review their documents against this info.
With the employer out of state, this gets really sketchy...unless this is a major company, in which case you likely also need a copy of a Corporate Resolution authorizing the expenditures, depending on your contract.
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- Liz Lynn
  OP
  Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Richard F.:
  
  Generally not a great idea. At an absolute minimum, you need a personal guarantee (and verification of HIS position as an officer in the company) from the employer, and he should have plenty of verifiable assets. Also check individuals here, and review their documents against this info.
  With the employer out of state, this gets really sketchy...unless this is a major company, in which case you likely also need a copy of a Corporate Resolution authorizing the expenditures, depending on your contract.
  
  Thank you. So from what he has submitted I am thinking I was confused and thought he owned the company with his wife, but it seems he actually works in construction. His wife is the owner of the company that employs these workers. He did not want to pay another fee to have her apply and get checked so since he qualified on his own I did not require her to be added. The lease will be solely his name/responsibility with the workers as occupants and the only ones living there (although he and/or his wife supposedly may drop in to check on them from time to time). Neither his employer nor his wife's company are major companies. We did a video call showing and he agreed to sign for the 1st since it's FCFS and they should be moving in on the 15th which will be the first time I meet anyone. Also, this is on the property I live on so these guys will be nearby. I don't think financially there will be any issues, but I also want to be safe.
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Liz Lynn
OP
Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes
1mo
Also, should/can I ask for visas to verify they are legal? I don't want any legal issues
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- Adam Michael Andrews
  Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 107 posts · 89 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Liz Lynn:
  
  Also, should/can I ask for visas to verify they are legal? I don't want any legal issues
  
  You need full identification and commercial information, not just of your guarantor but your actual occupants. Ask a lot of questions and let them talk. I wouldn’t request a visa in writing, but you can accept one as a document to establish identity. If anything seems shady you can submit a tip to ICE, they have an online tip form where you can forward all correspondence and identity info.
  Aside from that you need to know who you’re going after if all of this heads south. Assuming you can identify everyone I would ask for the lease to be paid half up front and half over the term.
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- Liz Lynn
  OP
  Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Adam Michael Andrews:
  
  Quote from @Liz Lynn:
  
  Also, should/can I ask for visas to verify they are legal? I don't want any legal issues
  
  You need full identification and commercial information, not just of your guarantor but your actual occupants. Ask a lot of questions and let them talk. I wouldn’t request a visa in writing, but you can accept one as a document to establish identity. If anything seems shady you can submit a tip to ICE, they have an online tip form where you can forward all correspondence and identity info.
  Aside from that you need to know who you’re going after if all of this heads south. Assuming you can identify everyone I would ask for the lease to be paid half up front and half over the term.
  
  Right. Unfortunately they will not be in town until the 15th when they are planned to be moving in and they speak little english. The guarantor is responsible for everything and he lives in AL, he went through the screening no problems, I just don't know how to screen the occupants.
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- Adam Michael Andrews
  Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 107 posts · 89 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Liz Lynn:
  
  Quote from @Adam Michael Andrews:
  
  Quote from @Liz Lynn:
  
  Also, should/can I ask for visas to verify they are legal? I don't want any legal issues
  
  You need full identification and commercial information, not just of your guarantor but your actual occupants. Ask a lot of questions and let them talk. I wouldn’t request a visa in writing, but you can accept one as a document to establish identity. If anything seems shady you can submit a tip to ICE, they have an online tip form where you can forward all correspondence and identity info.
  Aside from that you need to know who you’re going after if all of this heads south. Assuming you can identify everyone I would ask for the lease to be paid half up front and half over the term.
  
  Right. Unfortunately they will not be in town until the 15th when they are planned to be moving in and they speak little english. The guarantor is responsible for everything and he lives in AL, he went through the screening no problems, I just don't know how to screen the occupants.
  
  At the very least I would insist on a list of identified occupants with SSN, name, DoB and get a background check. Anything less leaves you exposed in various ways. I would not make a deal where just because someone’s the guarantor they can send whoever, whenever.
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Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
1mo
You should only be underwriting the employer and getting their personal guarantee.
We do this often with our MTRs - and often it's an insurance company placing a family while their home is being fixed after a fire.
You're complicating things if you continue to pursue documenting the actual occupants.
- What happens if the employer swaps out 2 workers during the lease?
All you'll really want is one point of contact at the property.
[email protected]248-209-6824
Logical Property Management4.9459 Reviews
Website View Page
4 Reply
- Liz Lynn
  OP
  Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Drew Sygit:
  
  You should only be underwriting the employer and getting their personal guarantee.
  We do this often with our MTRs - and often it's an insurance company placing a family while their home is being fixed after a fire.
  You're complicating things if you continue to pursue documenting the actual occupants.
  - What happens if the employer swaps out 2 workers during the lease?
  All you'll really want is one point of contact at the property.
  
  So no background check for the occupants? The other unfortunate part is this unit is basically in my backyard so I just want to be safe.
  0 Reply
- Drew SygitBusiness Member
  Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
  1mo
  As long as the company and the company owner are on the hook, what does it really matter?
  [email protected]248-209-6824
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- Aiden AvtgisBusiness Member
  Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2024 · 37 posts · 22 votes
  1mo
  Agreed. You can verify international information (credit, background check, etc) all day long but really have zero recourse if they fail to pay or destroy your property. The employer should be the one on the hook here.
  0 Reply
Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1mo
We will not rent to anyone that is not legally allowed to live and work in the US. How do you hold them accountable? How do you know what type of background they have?
[email protected]239-339-3969
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- Liz Lynn
  OP
  Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Adam Bartomeo:
  
  We will not rent to anyone that is not legally allowed to live and work in the US. How do you hold them accountable? How do you know what type of background they have?
  
  Right. They are working but I don't know about their status and from what I can tell it's discrimination to inquire.
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- Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
  Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Liz Lynn:
  
  Quote from @Adam Bartomeo:
  
  We will not rent to anyone that is not legally allowed to live and work in the US. How do you hold them accountable? How do you know what type of background they have?
  
  Right. They are working but I don't know about their status and from what I can tell it's discrimination to inquire.
  
  How is it discrimination? I think that you need to do some research or hire a PM. It is not discrimination to require the people that are going to rent from you to provide licenses, ssn, or proper documentation.
  [email protected]239-339-3969
  Bartomeo Property Management4.7150 Reviews
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- Drew SygitBusiness Member
  Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
  1mo
  Adam, agree with you on LTR, but why does it matter on MTR or STR when a company is signing the lease?
  [email protected]248-209-6824
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- Adam Michael Andrews
  Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 107 posts · 89 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Drew Sygit:
  
  Adam, agree with you on LTR, but why does it matter on MTR or STR when a company is signing the lease?
  
  Headache factor. You need to be able to contact the occupants. Noise complaints, HOA, even crimes all happen and can have consequences beyond the lease term or that can't be cured by the company. In this case it's not exactly a Fortune 500 company either, it's a small construction firm owned by one person. In my area there were a lot of those who did some bad work so they just folded and reincorporated.
  0 Reply
- Drew SygitBusiness Member
  Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
  1mo
  Adam, when have you done an Airbnb or VRBO STR or MTR stay?
  Those sites frown on screening Guests as they do their own "screening" and have insurance to back it up.
  Point is, you would never know...
  [email protected]248-209-6824
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  0 Reply
Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
1mo
Quote from @Liz Lynn:

Man reached out to rent my unit for his 4 employees on a 6 month job. He qualifies and passed credit/background/income check, but they do not have ssn and my PM software requires it. Since they are the occupants I want a background check. He has sent me 2/4 passports (from central america) since he doesnt know the other 2 he will send (he is in AL, job is in SC). I don't know how to proceed or if I should. I am thinking international background check, but not sure the accuracy with only passport info and which service to choose. TIA
Great question, Liz. I'd be cautious here, but the lack of an SSN by itself wouldn't necessarily be my reason to walk away. Since all four employees will actually occupy the property, I'd want each adult to complete the same screening process and be identified on the lease or as an approved occupant. I'd ask your screening provider whether they can screen someone using a passport, full legal name, DOB, and prior addresses, or whether they have an international screening option. I wouldn't rely on a passport alone as a "background check," since matching records accurately can be difficult without enough identifying information. I'd also avoid creating extra requirements specifically because they're foreign nationals; South Carolina fair-housing guidance specifically warns against procedures that unfairly target applicants based on national origin. If you use a third-party screening report to make the decision, FCRA requirements also come into play. Since the employer is apparently the qualified party, I'd also clarify whether he or his company will actually be the leaseholder and financially responsible for the entire six months. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
[email protected]614-300-7535
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- Liz Lynn
  OP
  Member since 2021 · 52 posts · 12 votes
  1mo
  Quote from @Jimmy Lieu:
  
  Quote from @Liz Lynn:
  
  Man reached out to rent my unit for his 4 employees on a 6 month job. He qualifies and passed credit/background/income check, but they do not have ssn and my PM software requires it. Since they are the occupants I want a background check. He has sent me 2/4 passports (from central america) since he doesnt know the other 2 he will send (he is in AL, job is in SC). I don't know how to proceed or if I should. I am thinking international background check, but not sure the accuracy with only passport info and which service to choose. TIA
  Great question, Liz. I'd be cautious here, but the lack of an SSN by itself wouldn't necessarily be my reason to walk away. Since all four employees will actually occupy the property, I'd want each adult to complete the same screening process and be identified on the lease or as an approved occupant. I'd ask your screening provider whether they can screen someone using a passport, full legal name, DOB, and prior addresses, or whether they have an international screening option. I wouldn't rely on a passport alone as a "background check," since matching records accurately can be difficult without enough identifying information. I'd also avoid creating extra requirements specifically because they're foreign nationals; South Carolina fair-housing guidance specifically warns against procedures that unfairly target applicants based on national origin. If you use a third-party screening report to make the decision, FCRA requirements also come into play. Since the employer is apparently the qualified party, I'd also clarify whether he or his company will actually be the leaseholder and financially responsible for the entire six months. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
  
  I agree. I asked the PM software and they don't have anything to assist. He is personally responsible, it's actually his wife's company (who won't be on the lease). He also said they have been here for years so getting a background check from their home country wouldn't be much help, so aside from just taking his word that they're not criminals and just need a spot to rest in between working 6-7 days a week, I'm not sure what to do here.
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Shiloh LundahlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
1mo
I've done this many times in cabins in Lakeside, Arizona. The contractor will rent it out for his workers. For 5 days for his guys to stay there while there are working because it is a 3 hour drive back to the city for them. He rented out the whole property for a year right when I bought it for about $1000 more than market rent at the time. This helped me get the long term loan on the property.

Rather than say "no" because it isn't what you are used to, come up with an option that will benefit both of you and will make sure you are covered.

If any issues arose the contractor took care of it.

You can also share any concerns and ask for a higher deposit.
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Kate Sanchez
Member since 2025 · 246 posts · 100 votes
1mo
@Liz Lynn Great strategy! Corporate leases work well here. A few key steps to protect yourself:
- Lease to the business: Make the company responsible for rent and damage, listing workers strictly as named occupants.
- Occupant Substitution Clause: Require advance written notice, a signed addendum, and an OFAC check before handing keys to any new worker if employees swap.
- Higher Deposit: Hold an increased security deposit to cover potential damages and offset the lack of local rental history.
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Carlos Hennings
Lancaster, NY · Member since 2021 · 92 posts · 53 votes
1mo
Hi Liz,

Great question and one worth getting right.

For the project manager, hold them to the same standard as any other applicant. A full background check at minimum including Credit, Criminal, Eviction, and a Judgments and Liens search. On income, do not accept paper paystubs or bank statements. Screening companies today can pull income data directly from the applicant's bank, which eliminates the fraud risk entirely.

For the four occupants, at a minimum run a Criminal with Sex Offender search on each of them. If they do not have an SSN, an ITIN would be required to run a successful search in the states. You have a community to protect and that search is the baseline.

On the international side, the hurdles are cost, turnaround time, and documentation. Each country of origin has different requirements. The screening company will know exactly what is needed. Turnaround on international reports can range anywhere from five days to three weeks depending on how quickly that country responds. Keep in mind the international search will return a criminal report only.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out directly if you have any other questions.
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