For me, I proceed to evaluate his application to make a decision.

To be sure, there are issues which affect a landlord.

Like, how will I collect from him, if he ens up owing me money?

Like, what is the likelihood of his continued employment, where he is presently?

Like, what will happen to his obligation under the lease, if he is deported?

If I would decide to reject him, I would probably do so specifying that it is for "incomplete application" (no social security number),

Here in Los Angeles a landlord is not supposed to consider an applicants naturalization status. You can't ask, "are you legal, do you have papers, are you a citizen"! That would be discriminatory. Instead you hand them an application like anyone else and evaluate it based on the "details". Have they completed the application leaving no blank areas. Did they provide valid pay stubs? Did they provide you with a current bank statement?

Then if the applicant can't meet your minimum requirements, you can disqualify them. I have these situations here in the "bread and butter" areas of the city -- Koreatown, Hollywood, etc.

Can you run a comprehensive background check including a credit and eviction report based on their Social Security Number? Do they have a valid picture State ID? Do they hold a job over 1 year with pay stubs showing taxes are being withheld?

Shelly,

It is not illegal for you rent to a non-citizen. We are not required to prove citizenship.

It IS illegal for you to ASK or discriminate based on national origin or citizenship. That could cost you THOUSAND$$$ in fines.

Denying for no SS# borders on that.

Not every American citizen has a SS#.

We have MANY non-English speaking residents. I wish I had more! Never an issue about payment, never had to evict one, never had to chase on for rent.

The ones here in Indiana are calmer than LA. We have not had problems with them piling 15 in a house.

BRAD

My following statement is not that I'm favoring illegals, but from my experience based on the renter pool in my area:

I have found that renting to migrants regardless of status seems to work out better than renting to citizens. The migrants seem to appreciate a good safe home and fair landlord. I always get payment on time and they seem humble and sometimes shy.

Those born here seem to think they are entitled, are pushy, think they are in control, know everything, and can be nasty. This is the best way I can sum this up.

Regardless of who you choose, you need to keep tight control and ensure your tenants FULLY understand the lease, what is expected and be fair. No one is perfect and be on the ball to head off any problems that can be easily resolved from it's too late.

John

Just curious, to those who rent illegal aliens, how do you do a credit and criminal backround check?

Just because they don't have a SSN does not mean they don't have credit. I just pulled a foreign medical student credit profile and got his last two addresses. I then had to match it up with HR to make sure the guy actually worked there. He is completing residency at the local regional hospital.