Would you rent to a tenant who's income is paid "under the table"

[Mike Oconnell]

Would you consider a tenant applicant who supposedly has great rental history, great work references, etc., but works for himself and gets paid in cash, "under the table"?

This is a red flag for me as I assume if he blatantly cheats in his business and on his taxes, etc., there is a good chance he will cheat the landlord as well.

Would this be enough for you to reject the application based on not having documented income, or would you consider him under certain circumstances?

Thank you!

[Russell Brazil]

@Mike Oconnell Great question, and like everything else in real estate it depends on the specifics.  Is he a bartender, or waiter, or stripper, or day laborer....meaning an occupation is often paid under the table?  If he is showing the cash deposits to their bank account....then I absolutely would rent to them.  However if the business he is running is something that is not typical to be paid in cash like they are an electrician, other tradesman, some other type of small business where they should be paying taxes....then I would not.  Yes the former occupations I mentioned like bartender are supposed to be paying their taxes...but we sort of find it acceptable that people in certain professions are skirting the laws on taxes. In that case as long as everything else checks out then yes.  The other cases maybe of a small business owner skirting tax laws, we as society do not find that ok, and so neither will I as a landlord.