Can my landlord legally demand my Social Security number?

Posted by admin on November 9th, 2009 and filed under realty executives | 10 Comments »

I live in Arizona and my landlord is affliated with Realty Executives.
I have already been renting from this individual. We have a new lease because of rent increase.

Only if he or she needs it in order to open a separate account for your security deposit, in which case they would have given you a W-9 form.

Other than that, they don’t have any legal right to it.

10 Responses

  1. drowningingeorgia Says:

    If you didn’t have to give it when you filled out an application, I don’t see how in the hell he can make you now. Don’t do it. I do taxes, and he does not need your SSN.
    References :

  2. fukinluckyfuker Says:

    Of course. He needs it for certain forms he must file, for your benefit as a renter, come tax time.

    Also, it’s about the only way to get someone’s credit report, and if you want to rent from someone, they should have every right to inquire on your credit.

    If you don’t want to give anyone your social security number, don’t. Just pay cash upfront for everything. Like a year of your new lease. If you can’t do that, too damn bad.
    References :

  3. photogrl262000 Says:

    yes
    References :

  4. dwalkercpa Says:

    almost all landlords will run a credit check on potentianl tenants and that will require your SSN. if you don’t want to give it, then don’t expect to live there.
    References :

  5. judy_r8 Says:

    no, he legally can’t. your ssn is between you, your employer and the government. However, he can refuse to rent to you if you don’tprovide the information he requests. Ask him what he isgoing to use it for
    References :

  6. flyhasitall Says:

    I had spent most of my adult life giving out my drivers license and social security numbers whether it was for employment, banking, renting, or any other business transaction where I was paying with other than cash.

    Now you have to be more careful. Thanks to this day and age of Identity Theft, I will ask anyone who asks me for this information, "is this absolutely necessary"? If they say yes, I will make a list of those business or organizations, with dates and times I have been forced to give such information, so that if something happens, you can give this list out to the police as leads.

    And forget about using your credit cards, after three fraudulent transactions totally over $1,500 were made after I made an internet shoppingn transaction. I decided to close all my credit card accounts, and with very few exceptions, I will use my debit card only at my bank’s ATM to get the cash I need, and if I have to do any online shopping, I simply write down the item number, and then will call my order on the phone, also taking note of the day and time I gave my debit card number.

    You just can’t be too careful. Document, document and document. Also get the name of any and all persons you deal with when having to give such sensitive information.
    References :

  7. Janet Says:

    Yes, he can ask for it. He needs it for a credit check. He might need it if you are in any substadized housing.

    He would be perfectly within his rights to deny you a rental w/o it. You are living on his property, he has a right to know who you are.
    References :

  8. kittymimm Says:

    NO, there is some code out there in the Privacy Act of 1974 (don’t remeber the specific code off hand) that protects it. Only certain govt agencies can require your SSN.
    References :

  9. DOC. Says:

    yes for taxes or credit inquiry
    References :

  10. ILoveKeyLimePie Says:

    Only if he or she needs it in order to open a separate account for your security deposit, in which case they would have given you a W-9 form.

    Other than that, they don’t have any legal right to it.
    References :

Leave a Comment

Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.