Can a law firm force you to give personal information?

[BurningVigor]

This is for the state of California.

Basically I own a business and I have my dad as a worker. The landlord got into an argument with my Dad(land lorded wanted us to claim we only pay 1k rent when we really pay 4k) and pretty much wants us to leave. But he really cant just kick us out because we do nothing wrong at all.

So recently we been receiving letters from a law firm that says they are talking for my landlord. They want me to give them workers comp information like how many workers I have, business license, liability insurance policy, workers compensation policy, and Driver Licence of me and my dads. I feel like they are trying to find any sort of reason to evict us out and that asking for driver license of me and my employees is just stepping out of line.

Do I need to give these types of information to a law firm working for my land lord? My dad had IRS problems about 10 years ago, so Im guessing they want to connect my dad to my business and have them take it away.

If anyone can help me please do, or if they can refer me to someone or some firm that could help me out. My land lord is just trying to complete destroy our lives I think, and I dont have that much money to pay a law firm to figure things like this out.

Thanks a lot. -BV

[tranquility]

Many commercial leases have a requirement that the lessee acts in accordance with all laws in the operation of their business. Depending on how the lease is written, there may be a requirement to take reasonable steps to inform the landlord of this fact. If so, I'd get an attorney to answer the letter as a failure to respond could be considered a breach.

But, if there are no specific lease provisions such as the above, I'd probably send a letter stating that in order to protect the privacy of individuals guaranteed under the Constitution of the state of California, such questions can only be answered under due process of law.

[BurningVigor]

Thank you for the reply. I will send a letter back stating that. Does it matter that the we used a standard lease contract? Its just the basic thing everyone uses.

[Dandy Don]

You need to seriously CONSULT with a landlord-tenant/eviction law attorney about this matter (a consultation would not be very expensive) to figure out whether you need to provide the requested information or not. Knowledge is power in this case--if the landlord messes up and does not follow the procedures properly, you get to stay in the apartment longer.

But you may want to consider finding another place--landlord is only going to cause you more headaches and you would probably be better off without him.

[BurningVigor]

Unfortunately this is my business not where I live.

[Dandy Don]

What reason did he have for asking you to lie about the rent?

Can't you shop elsewhere for a better business location?

[BurningVigor]

Well the previous owner of this business did that. I mean the land lord obvious has been cheating taxes for years and years(Claiming 1k income when he gets 4k from us.. not to mention we would be the ones screwed if IRS found out). I have a bunch of checks where he crossed out his name and put someone else's name on the rent check. Dude is just a cheater, but gets mad when someone doesnt help him cheat. He bugs the other tenants as well.. not just me.

[tomomibru]

Other very good advice notwithstanding (you should still retain counsel)

Depending on how you feel, you might very well report him to the IRS: google IRS & fraud & report and you'll find the necessary forms. Idea: if you keep him in knots, he'll be less able to harass you.

good luck.