Yes, they'll need this to run a credit check to better see if they should rent to you, and so they know if you're renting anywhere else.

They don't need it and should not be given it. It is none of their business and I would be highly suspicious and would not rent for someone who asked for it.I have rented many dozen apartments over the years and have never had to divulge personal information like that.It is not a form of credit check,and possibly illegal.

I don't give mine out at all - Just give them the names of where you lived and let them check that way

They do. And in most states you must provide it or they can legally deny you housing. They use it to run credit, employment, and criminal checks on potential renters. Which is now a very common practice these days so you know you'll get your rent and won't have a crack dealer moving in. Having either could mean losing your property. Either by forclouser or reclaim fo rbeing a nussance property. What you want to do is to see if they belong to a renter's assosiation so you know that they're on the up and up. My parents have a rental house and they do all of these checks because when they haven't they've gotten screwed. You wouldn't belive some of the stuff these people try to get away with past landlords and then expect you to trust them with your house.

As a landlord who has been stiffed several times down through the years, I always ask for a SS number, or a DL number. If you can't provide one of the two, I won't rent to you. I don't run credit checks. All I want is a way to track you if you decide to split.

If you are renting from a private owner, it's a very good chance that they will not do a credit/background check. If you rent from an apartment community, YES, it IS standard to fill out a rental application and provide your SSN. I'm VERY surprised to the above answers that say you shouldn't need to provide it! Unless you're renting from a Maw and Paw type of place, you MUST give your SSN!

Well, the renter is being loaned the use of a $40,000 - $100,000 asset for a fraction of that value per rental payment. It seems that checking on the reliability of the renter is reasonable. Housing is not a birthright - it is something that requires the work of someone else who deserves to be compensated. As well, just as the landlord does not have to rent to you - you can not be required to rent the housing. There are some who hate business - and landlords - and think that their rights are greater than anyone seeking a profit. I would love to give them a business and require that they run it without generating any compensation for their time, investment, previous training, and the risk of operating a business. That seems to be what they expect of others. Sad times.

I find this topic to be very hostile. However as a tenent I will never give out my social at times I have had to spend more then a month looking for a place to live because of it but I just dont see how weather my car payment is paid every month on time it is any of the land lords business I have never once in 10 yrs been late with my rent becuase I pay that first no matter what. I think it should be against the law for them to ask me for it but it is not so you keep asking and I will find someone who does not just a little extra time no matter thow cause I have never been evicted so I never had a time limit.

While others whine about SSN credit and background checks, few have recognized the "liability" the tenant could possibly face; should the landlord mis-use that information, and create the worst of all misdeeds - IDENTITY THEFT! Imagine now, even today, private owners, subscribe to a service for $34.95 such as e-renter.com and get much more info than a credit report, or a background check. Who says this private owner (landlord) will not mis-use that information? Many private owners today, in foreclosure, are renting out properties, and the tenants not knowing this, suddenly find the sheriff at their door, giving them "hours" to move out. No, don't brush off landlords as being all "goody-two shoes" types. And the tenant has no way of knowing what will happen to the information given to them, and what they glean from it, that could create identify theft. This is a real harbinger, and needs legislation meted out that covers "both sides" of this equasion. And, there may be no real clear answers of resolve to any of it. Whenever a SSN is given out, in lieu of, say, a driver's license, the tenant runs the risk to anyone getting that information, of having his/her life turned upside down, not only credit-wise, but also through drained bank accounts, new bank accounts set up and later drained, and the SSN sold, and re-sold 30 or more times to "vendors" all over the world. If enough tenants REFUSED to give out SSN, the landlords would quickly scrap their so-called policy of credit reports and background checks, because they wouldn't have any tenants and a whole lot of empty apartments and houses. The invasion of privacy o䆈f the tenant (s) sought by landlords is indeed a travesty, who have no problem taking a first, last and security deposit, plus unrefundable pet deposit fees, garage door opener fees, credit check fees, key fees, and on and on. Seems like that upfront investment by the tenant should show good cause that he/she has the capability of carrying out the terms of the lease, without getting into one's own privacy, which is being done everyday openly, as well as covertly. I could write a book on this topic, but suffice to say, the "tilt" towards the landlord, is very "untilted" for the tenant, the way things are going now, particularly as they raise the rents as more people get unemployed, or loss their home to foreclosure, most of which through no fault of their own; only to now be hacked by the greed of landlords who are currently seeking all-time high rental rates, as the economic conditions mount nationwide. Enough said.

A landlord CANNOT "legally deny you housing" because you do not submit your SSN. ( Mayerson vs. Prime Realty Services LLC ) look it up. However, submitting your SSN makes it easier to process your application....but BY LAW you are not required to. Previous legal case presidence provides for this. If you are genuinely wary of identity fraud and refuse to submit your SSN, that is your right.

I was a landlord for over 30 Years and even STILL rent out room in my home ... IF I do not get a SS Number and a D/L Number ... They do NOT get rented To .. PERIOD, NO Discussion ... I've been stiffed enough to know I need a way of tracking the DEADBEATS !! +5

When filling out an application to rent an apartment, most ask for the soc. security number. this is needed to run a credit check on a person, before a lease is signed. I use to not believe in this, until i discovered that many renters just pack and move and leave owing a backlog of rent money. This is why a persons credit status is so important.