Tenant Proof of Income - Landlord Forum thread 348423

Tenant Proof of Income by Neil (California) on September 15, 2016 @20:31

So my tenant was responsible for fire damage in my rental property. Im demanding that he pay my insurance deductible which he agreed to but can't afford to pay all up front. We worked out an installment agreement on paper. I also requested updated copies of their proof of income which they refused. Am I not within my legal right to have their current proof of income? Not only do I want this to verify their income but incase I have to sue them in court for nonpayment of damages.

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Re: Tenant Proof of Income by Anonymous on September 15, 2016 @21:04	[ Reply ]

"We worked out an installment agreement on paper." "Am I not within my legal right to have their current proof of income?" No, you have no 'legal right' to this information. This is a very strange situation. If the tenant was responsible for the fire damage, why is this being covered by your insurance in a way that your deductible needs to be paid?

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Re: Tenant Proof of Income by Garry on September 15, 2016 @22:13	[ Reply ]

It's good you both worked out an agreement on paper, and both signed it. Now you have a document you can take to court, and very likely win a judgement against the T. Once you win, you can do what they call a "debtors exam". You can legally ask the T to bring to court (at a later date) all documents showing what the T owns (assets) such as savings and checking accounts, vehicles, and employment records and pay stubs. Then you can garnish some of those funds if need be, following your states garnishment laws. But until a judge says for them to provide their proof of income, the T does not have to provide any documents to you if they don't want to. You can always sue a person in court, but you take a chance as to what assets they have, to be able to collect what they owe you.

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Re: Tenant Proof of Income by AnonymousFL on September 16, 2016 @12:41	[ Reply ]

Why would you feel you have the right to have their current proof of income? Some programs require that tenants provide proof of income when they renew their leases or have a change of income, but unless that program tasks you with monitoring income, I don't see any reason why you would have a 'right' to that information. In any case, if they have taken responsibility for the damage or have been made responsible, that is enough to put the costs on them. Just be sure to have things well documented. Hopefully you will be able to collect for the damage.

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Re: Tenant Proof of Income by J (FL) on September 16, 2016 @12:45	[ Reply ]

I don't see the point of this. The time to check income was before you rented to them.

Re: Tenant Proof of Income