Welfare fraud being committed by tenant in my home who refuses to pay rent. Tenant has hidden account money from death of grandma, through mother.

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Welfare fraud being committed by tenant in my home who refuses to pay rent. Tenant has hidden account money from death of grandma, through mother.

According to a family member, tenant receiving distributions from inheritance left by grandmother, through mothers account. Not sure if there is a sub account with tenants name or not. Tenant has refused to pay rent for over 2 months, and receives food stamps ($450.00 per mo worth) which she sells most of for gambling money. Tenant boasts that she wont have to pay me a dime because she’s on assistance. If welfare investigates, wont there be some kind of “discovery” of this account, and can’t I use this discovery in small claims to recoup un paid rent?

Asked on June 13, 2009 under Criminal Law, California

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 14 years ago | Contributor

You should definitely report her.  Here's a link that will help: http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/fraud/PG269.htm

You may or may not be able to recoup your unpaid rent but at least if she's incarcerated it will get her out of the apartment.  However, that may take a while, your best bet is to file for eviction.  You can try to sue in small claims and get a judgement for back rent but it most probably won't be all that easy to collect.

Anyway, just reporting her might be "payment" enough so to speak.


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