Screening Waiters & Waitresses (Servers)

[Phineas Howie]

It's a good idea to have a minimum income requirement for your rental, and that all income be verified. But when screening applicants who work as servers in restaurants it can be difficult to verify their full income. That said everyone knows that it's no lie that servers make a large portion if not most of their money in tips. I would like to hear from experienced landlords: How have you dealt with applicants who who's true income consists largely of tips?

[John Meirose]

Hello Phineas,

As a property manager in Florida this is one of the hardest task to verify.  Want I recommend anyone that receives tips is to deposit the cash into a bank account that can be verified.  Although the deposits aren't guaranteed just tips it does allow you the ability to see additional income.  This is what my daughter does every other day with her tips.