Apparently hardworking couple in their 40s want to rent one of our tidy 2 bedroom Blue Collar apartments.

They say they are engaged to be married. They claim to be making relatively good money doing carpentry, remodeling, painting- over 7x the rent for the apartment. And, they're always at work, when I contact them. OK, great.

They have the security deposit down, and first month's rent. They even show up in painters clothes.

Now the inevitable problem.

They are "Sub Contractors". They're getting plenty of work they say, 40 hrs+ and surely through the year if not two. But the company they work for is simply, "Jim Curry, JC Construction". This is apparently, a guy who subcontracts construction and remodeling labor out, and his office is his house. He pays them in cash.

Otherwise, they seem like great people. Friendly, certainly look like workers. The guy talked a lot about the trade, and even said, "Im very tidy and take care of places I rent, I leave them better looking than when I move in."

But how to verify employment?

JC Construction. Well, there's nothing in the phone book in our city by that name, no company website, nothing.

I finally get hold of the infamous Jim Curry, and ask him for employment verification. He emails us this:

>>>>>

Please use this communication as employment verification fro Rob and Sheila. They are 1099 employees which means they are responsible for there own taxes. They have worked for us for well over a year. We pay weekly every friday. Rob makes on average 900-to 1000.00 per week. Sheila makes between 400 to 500 per week. Our company has been in business for over 10 years. We are a small construction company based out of XXXXXX. We contract both big and small rehab jobs in the area. There employment is very secure with us and in fact are our key people on new projects started. If you have any other questions please feel free to call or text. Our office operates out of my home at 169 Archer. .

Thanks

Jim Curry

JC Construction

>>>>

I have never come across this before. It seems they have guaranteed work, but how to know they have a job? There's no paychecks if paid in cash, no record. I don't even think they could file for unemployment, or be garnished so it seems risky. But believe me, they are ALL RISKY.

Thoughts????

Just ask for copies of their tax returns for past two years?

The income tax return is the only way to verify their income, two years worth to establish the income trend.

If they declare the income on their taxes they are legit.

Well I am just exhausted looking at applicants. I'm now at a month of vacancy renovations included and I have a stack of applications from losers 4 inches high if anybody is looking for high risk renters.

IDK, what's the worst that can happen right. They get in and don't pay rent. I don't think they'll damage the place.

I'll ask for tax returns for the past 2 years and maybe I'll risk my neck on them if it pans out. You can all watch from a safe distance!

lol.

Danned if you don't, you know how it is for us.

This is a common way to do business in the trades. Someone who knows how to sell and do the books "sells" the job and then subcontracts it out without actually hiring anyone. Window World does this. They sell the windows and all are installed by subcontractors.

I am a contractor. Anyone I pay over a specific amount of money within any 12 month period, requires me to report their income to the tax man. We are talking over $600 a year.

Next I sub-contract my work our sometimes. But to Licensed people who also bonded. They also have a local business city license and report their total gross sales/income.

Many times a "worker" or "Subcontractor" says they are working 5 to 6 days a week for owners and other contractors.

So when I run their credit, I can see the balances (monthly total charges) on their credit cards. If they claim to do $5,000 a month in labor, then I expect to see at least $2,000 charges on their credit cards. If not, only a few employers would advance money for parts to a professional. Only a clown would ask and employer everyday for money for parts. This way I can weed out clowns.

Next one worker said he's on the employer's charge account and can purchase materials daily. I ask to see their Charge Card for their employers account. I have a few clients charge cards for when I do big jobs for their properties. Like buying $10,000 in roofing materials or appliances. Since they do not want me to charge a burden for putting out my money for buying stuff, they let me charge things. Since I am licensed and bonded, if I charge a stick of personal bubble gum on their charge card, I could get in real trouble.

I may still be suffering from PMSD (Post Moratorium Stress Disorder) after the Thou shalt house for free on Thee! edicts from our lovely billionaire governor over the Pandemic.

He was so generous with other people's money.

But I noticed he didn't house any freeloaders in his own mansion over that time. I digress.

I mean we can in Illinois, evict again for nonpayment of rent.

Though I certainly don't want to go through all that, I'd rather just have a paying renter. But I would think tenants knowing its possible to be evicted would deter squatters right.

Giving the keys and possession rights to someone whose only income is cash payments under the table seems scary for a mini landlord like me, I couldn't even afford a lawyer. I'll try asking for tax returns. If they're even still wanting the place at this point.