shelter verification form - Michigan

shelter verification form - Michigan by David on April 20, 2012 @16:11

I have a tenant who is a month behind and I have already served the 7 day notice. The Human Service Department called me today and told me that I needed to sign a shelter verification form verifying that she lived at my property. I told the tenant I did not want to sign the form saying what her rent should be, because she was not paying rent. The tenant may lose out on benefits if I do not sign the form. Am I legally obligated to sign the form?

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Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by Anonymous on April 20, 2012 @16:17	[ Reply ]

I don't know the answer but am interested in what responses you get. What exactly does the shelter verification form say--does it say it's MANDATORY for you to sign it? Is this Sec. 8 ? Can you call the human service department and ask if it's mandatory that you fill out the form? Ask about *what if the tenant is NOT paying rent but is living there and the eviction process has begun.

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by Jaws, CA on April 20, 2012 @16:19	[ Reply ]

I don't usually sign things unless there is some benefit to me. In this case your benefit may be that the tenant will move sooner saving the time and money of an eviction.

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by Anonymous on April 20, 2012 @16:21	[ Reply ]

If the tenant may lose out on benefits, the tenant may be so moved as to pay their rent on time and to pay the rent they owe!

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by MrDan (Georgia) on April 20, 2012 @16:30	[ Reply ]

It's just a form verifying that your tenant rents from you and the amount of rent. www.mfia.state.mi.us/olmweb/ex/rff/3688.pdf

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by Katiekate (New York) on April 20, 2012 @16:32	[ Reply ]

You have no obligation to sign this. But, consider... this tenant is having trouble paying the rent..she is taking steps to seek assistance and to be pro-active. Frankly, sh*t does happen...even to honest people. Why would you demand rent on the one hand and not help her seek rent assistance on the other? In years past I had a tenant bring such a form to me. She was taking every step she could to pay me the rent. I did sign it. She used them to get one month of rent paid..she found a new job and never fell behind again. Would I have been better off to have her fail to pay me, then evict her? Why would I not want to help a tenant find the means to pay me?

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by Jake on April 20, 2012 @19:23	[ Reply ]

"The tenant may lose out on benefits if I do not sign the form." If you sign the form, will you get the rent paid and will you just have a tenant with benefits? You are headed in the right direction with the notice you served. Now, follow up with an eviction. Your tenant needs to move on to Sec 8 housing.

Re: shelter verification form - Michigan by Brittanie (MI) on May 6, 2012 @01:31	[ Reply ]

Why would you want to evict them? Its more costly for you to evict. And from what I have heard state assistance would pay the back rent she owes. And for the comment made about section 8 housing. Its not always available. With all of the low income and out of work families there just isnt enough help available. There are only certain times that they allow you to even apply for it and then there is no guarantee you will be approved.