AboutJohn Souerbry Expertise I'm a broker/consultant specializing in real estate investment. Whether you're currently an experienced investor or just getting into the business, I can help with investment strategies, business planning, deal analysis, negotiating, financing, and property management issues. Regardless of whether the property is residential, commercial or bare land, large or small, I help you increase profitability through sound decision making and effective business management. I also work as part of your estate planning to team (estate attorney and tax pro) when you are planning to leave real estate to your heirs or when you are receiving real estate as part of an estate disposition.
Experience I have experience in buying/selling residential and commercial real estate, property management, financing, and assistance with estate planning and disposition.
Organizations National Association of Realtors; California Association of Realtors; Silicon Valley Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials BS, Business Administration
MBA, Global Management
Past/Present Clients I have worked with individuals holding one or two properties and with clients and estates holding over 40 properties of many different types (apartments, condos, single family homes, land).
Question After filling out a lease application and receiving a signed lease, the landlord sent me an email (while I was moving)said I had to drive to his office that day and provide my husband's and my drivers license and proof of our social security. He said it was required by law. Is this true? We are both natural born citizens, but my husband is out of town. I put the lease in my name (and listed him living there), because I qualify myself, and he isn't here to sign or show his license.
Answer Normally, if that was required for credit and background checks it should have been done before the landlord offered you a lease. I don't know if this required by law where you are, here in California we may ask for ID with the application, but ID could also be a passport or a state-issued ID card. We may ask for ID from others listed on the lease to screen for criminals, but that doesn't happen often. It may be that those things are required and the landlord neglected to get them up-front and is hustling to get them done now. I have seen management contracts (contracts between an owner and manager) that require the manager to ask for those things with the lease application for screening purposes.
Also - whenever anyone tells me "it's required by law", I immediately ask "what law?" I want the specific federal, state, or local statute, code or regulation that they are talking about. As a manager, I'm able to quote the specific requirement for everything I ask for, I expect others to do the same.
I hope this helps.
John
