Rental application ssn and bank account information?

Question

A prospective landlord is asking for a ssn and banking account info on a rental application. Is this standard fare or should I be concerned? What is this information used for?

Answer 1

For your credit check.

Answer 2

That is standard. They want to make sure you can afford the place. If you are really nervous about giving out that info ask if you can provide a check stub instead.

Answer 3

This is standard.

They need your ss# to run credit check and in case they have to file eviction or collections.

Bank info is just used to verify that you are stable and have assets. They can not get any personal information from the bank - that would be illegal. All the bank can do is verify the information that you gave them.

Answer 4

It really depends on what type of place you are getting.Many landlords may ask for all that and they also have to pre-approve you by running your credit.That's why they ask for your ssn and in many rare cases a secondary id this being your bank account or a Credit Card.

They should tell you if they have to run your credit before anything that way you are not surprised if you ever need to get your credit ran for any other application,whether being a house or a car.

Just ask what he needs all that information for,but you also have the right to refuse to give him that info!

Answer 5

It depends which state you live in - BUT - this information is not standard fare for rental applications.  If you are applying for a CO-OP than it is.  A regular apartment lease usually doesn't delve into these matters.  I would imagine the landlord had trouble in the past and wants to be sure that his new tenants can pay AND/OR be sure the new tenant is not a convicted felon?  I wouldn't hesitate giving my SSN, but I would not feel comfortable giving banking information.  (S)he may want your bank account information in the event you are delinquent with rent payment but that is what a security deposit is for.