Strange Rental Question…..well, strange to me.

[Andres Piedra]

I have a potential tenant. A pastor in a church. He makes "okay" money, but definitely short of my monthly requirement. However, apparently the church itself pays for his rent outside of his salary. I called the church and they verified this (I know this isn't the most concrete way to verify). But, how would one write a lease for this tenant and add an "organization" to the lease so if things go south, the organization is also on the hook?

[Bill Gulley]

Old thought on that, two people you don't extend credit to, a cop or a preacher. One can harass you, the other can put you through hell.

You could rent to the church, but that is not customary at all.

Lease to him personally. If the church sends an income verification with additional "parsonage pay" he would or should qualify.

If you're still concerned, he signs personally and then have the authorized corporate officer who has financial signatory authority sign in the name of the church as a guarantor on the lease. I wouldn't go that far really.

I'd take a letter from the church stating they will pay the rents due on the lease for the full term and leave it at that. I doubt you get stiffed. :)