All Forum Posts by: Amber Dyer

It's an owner occupied rental (mother in-law suite). The PMs in my area will not manage a property where an owner lives on it. Believe me I've asked. I would prefer they just think I'm another tenant living on the property. 

This is my first issue like this and I've been renting for six years. I've never had a tenant do this much damage in the first six weeks (or throughout their tenancy). These people come across as extremely immature (which is challenging to screen for - they're in their 30s) and do not understand their responsibilities as tenants. In one text to me they claimed it was my responsibility to fix what they did because in the lease it states that THEY are responsible to keep the premises in a clean and sanitary condition. They've repeatedly lied about what caused the damage and only admitted up to it being the motorcycle after I said I was having a licensed contractors out to assess the damage and provide estimates. But then claimed I said they could destroy the yard with the motorcycle. 

Most every tenant I've had appreciated the space. I keep my rental under market value by several 100 dollars, includes trash/recycling and water. The laundry appliances they use run off my electricity. It's a pretty sweet deal and most people recognize that. 

But not these two. Which is going to suck for them because at the end of the day they have about 12 months of where they don't have any references they can use to find another rental. I tried to work with them and allow them to fix the issue. They refused. I've even offered to fix it now to save them money because they will be responsible for February's rent since I won't be able to rent the space 1.) because of the damage they did goes clear up to the rental entry gate 2.) they won't allow me to view the rental in January for new perspective tenants 3.) they refuse to stop walking in the giant mud pit they created and use the other gate on the other side of the property while the yard gets reestablished. They flat out told me after I served them the 30 day notice that they will not pay for it. 

At the end of the day I learned a very valuable lesson. But theirs's is going to be a harder lesson since they will really struggle to find a place that will rent to them. All they had to do is apologize, say they won't do it anymore, and offer to pay for the damages (around $600). I get they don't want to pay for it but it's common sense to not ride a motorcycle in the yard because it will damage it.  And at the end of the day, if I knew they were currently being told to leave or face eviction I would have never rented to them. They lied to me about why they were moving. They lied on their application. They've done nothing but lie since they've been on the property. 

And from what was explained to me, she was a new citizen so I figured it would make sense nothing pulled on the check.

So I've already served the 30 day notice but my state requires a court order if they refuse to let me enter with a 24 hours notice. 

I guess my main question is, 

Is putting a  ITIN in place of a SSN number and then not telling me so I can find a different company that does background checks without an SSN basically lying on the application? 

I rented to a couple on 11/1. When I first met them they said they were renting a room and were looking for more space. 

They later admitted they were illegally subletting a room, the guy that they were subletting to was being evicted, and extensive damage was done to the home. So I never actually talked to the actual landlord of the property. Just some random dude who was being evicted for violating the lease. 

Within six weeks of them being at my property they caused some pretty significant damage to the front yard with a motorcycle and refuse to let me view the inside of the rental. And they're refusing to pay to fix the damage. 

One of the background checks I did came back with absolutely nothing with the SSN that was used. I just chalked it up to her being a new citizen and not having anything established yet. But upon looking at the SSN she provided on the application, I found out it's not a valid SSN. Her boyfriend checked out on paper which is why I rented to them. 

I know an ITIN can be used but it requires a different screening process and I was never told it was an ITIN when she filled out the application and put it in the SSN field. And I have no idea if it's an actual ITIN as they have no intention of talking to me about after I asked in writing. 

I only do month to month agreements so they've already been served with a 30 day notice to vacate due to the damage and refusal to pay up fix it. 

My question is, when an applicant is putting their ITIN instead of a SSN are they required to tell you?