<prompt> Human: Ive been renting a house for the past 10 months or so, and when we moved in, the landlord insisted that all bills stay in her name, and we just pay them back for what we ended up using. Rent has always been paid in cash, and we have asked to pay in a different way bank deposit, check etc but the landlord insists we continue paying cash. I didnt think of it much until recently when I told a former employer about it and was told that she is doing that to claim she is still living in the house for tax purposes. is there any truth to this? what other reasons would there be for her to want these arrangements? BC, Canada  <response>: Make sure you are getting receipts for EVERY dollar you pay her, and scanningkeeping them. Cash transactions are fine if thats what your landlord wants, but receipts are necessary to prove youve been paying rent. She could easily turn around and say you never paid her for last month, and youre screwed without proof of payment. She could also say that you arent living there and evict you without notice, since youd have no proof of habitation a rent check or cash receipt is generally considered substantial proofShes probably committing tax fraud of some kind. Some landlords just prefer cash checks can bounce, credit has fees attached, but many who accept only cash are not declaring their income with the IRS, or otherwise trying to cheat the system. Either way, its not really your problem so long as you can prove youve been paying rent and utilities. Whether or not you choose to report her, you should cover your own ass. 