Checking Out A Tenant’s Welfare Cheque Story

If, you have a tenant, often and always late with his / her rent payment, tardiness which is explained away as a shortage of funds due to a delay in the arrival of the welfare cheque, even as he / she expects you to wait for the rent till the cheque is received. Trying to confirm the story with the Welfare department will not help, as they will only tell you they cannot discuss recipients of welfare payments with anyone. No doubt, you think it grossly unfair that landlords can get information from employers and prior landlords, so why not from the Welfare department, as well?

However, the public assistance office was right in turning down your request for information, since even welfare recipients are legally entitled to their right to privacy on the subject of personal finances. Employers and past landlords being contacted for information verification is an entirely different matter, altogether. As long as, the questions directed at them are designed to elicit only relevant information about an applicant’s employment or rental history, they can answer truthfully, without fear of legal liability. However, even employers and landlords exercising caution will insist upon getting the rental applicant’s permission, which is also called ‘release’, before they will disclose any information to you.

On the other hand, you do not have to wait for the delayed welfare cheque to arrive before initiating legal proceedings for termination of the tenancy and, if necessary, eviction. Simply, speed things up by issuing a proper notice regarding termination of the tenancy, when you find that rent has not been paid, even long after the grace period for late payments is over.

That apart, landlords should make themselves cognisant with all rules and regulations before drafting a lease, and must take all necessary precautions, such as, screening tenants and conducting background checks on prospective tenants, including ensuring all promises in the rental lease are adhered to, as their insurance for a litigation free landlord / tenant relationship. A simple click of the mouse and any landlord or property manager can visit www.e-renter.com for tenant screening and background check services. www.e-renter.com, the best tenant screening agency in America!