W-9 for rent payments?

[Sarah Young]

I recently put new tenants into one of our rentals.  The employer is paying the rent and it is being direct-deposited into my bank account. The tenant sent me a W-9 form to be filled out and returned to his employer.  Is this common? I'm leery of being seen as a W-9 employee by their company. Do I have to fill this out and return it? What happens if I don't? WWYD? 

Thanks!

[Elijah F.]

a w9 isnt given to only employees. if you look at the bottom of the form it states the various reasons for completing the form. i have had to fill these out when other entities pay on behalf of a renter. it is common, and probably mandatory from the IRS, for them to give you this form. it's so they can issue you a 1099 at year's end and report the payments to the irs