renter asking for a W-9

[Tidal Creek]

My daughter has been renting a house for a couple of years. She is about to sublet one of the rooms to someone. The new tenant is requesting my daughter fill out a W-9 so the new tenant’s employer can pay her rent directly from her employer to my daughter. This sounds odd since my daughter is not the landlord, she pays all the rent to the landlord and is renting one bedroom to the prospective tenant. Any suggestions or input is appreciated.

[Patti Robertson]

If your daughter is subletting, she is the landlord.  Suggest she check her own lease to see if she is even allowed to sublet.  Most like she isn't allowed to add an occupant without consent of the landlord.  If she does sublet, it would be appropriate for her to provide a W-9. While I've never received a 1099 from a tenant, technically you are supposed to provide one to anyone you pay over $600/year to who is not a corporation. Rent paid to a professional property manager does not have to be 1099'd because the PM sends those to the owner (and the IRS).  Hopefully this helps!