Rental owner asking for too much info?

lovesclimbing

So my H and I are moving. One of the houses we looked at asked for what seems like a TON of information.  We've never had a rental owner ask for this much info before. This is what they asked for on the agreement. I bolded the stuff that seems over the top to us.

-Both of us have to fill out separate agreements.
-Date of birth
-Driver's license number
-SSN
-Bank account numbers
-Current balance of said accounts
-Any car loans
-Name of lien holder for car loans
-Amount left owed on car loans
-Credit cards owned
-Amount owed on credit cards
-Employment history
-Current employers
-How much we make
-Three previous renters
-Vehicles make, model, year, license number, color

Does this seem over the top to any of you?

KytchynWitche

That sounds super OTT to me... I would not supply that kind of information to anyone.

kaos16

It almost seems to me like he's gotten burned in the past by someone skipping out on rent and wants all this info to find you if you do the same. That being said, I would never turn over all that info to a stranger....... I don't trust what he might do with it.

HisGirlFriday13

I agree that it sounds like he wants to get around paying for a credit check. I would not turn over that amount of information to anyone.

Ven&Radio

I wouldn't be filling out that application. That's just asking for identity theft.

SapphireCounselor

I feel like I had to supply that same information when my husband and I applied for a mortgage. For a rental it seems ott.

climbingsingle

Yeah, there's no way in hell I'd be providing him with that much info. 

After I broke up with my ex, I had to find a new place ASAP. I have a pit mix, so finding an apartment that would let me have her was nearly impossible. I finally found a place 5 minutes from where I was living. The LL asked me a TON of extremely personal questions. I was desperate, so I told him what he asked. He wanted to verify my employment, which I understand, but he demanded to speak to my boss. I kept telling him to speak to HR. Again, he demanded to speak to my boss. My boss is the owner of the company. I finally had to ask the owner to call this guy. 

Anyway, I moved in and ended up breaking the lease after 5 months. The LL was a fucking nightmare and made my life hell. He also would get drunk and corner me in the driveway, telling me totally inappropriate things. Ugh. What a creep. 

tortoisebride

That's all pretty normal in my experience. I'm surprised other people are so shocked by it.

It's about finding out whether you can afford to be there or not and also whether you're a responsible person. The bank balances tell them if you have the savings to cover rent if you lose a job for a week or so. I'd leave off the bank account numbers, but the SSN and loans and balances and car info are absolutely normal in my experience renting in NJ and MA. It's also not any different from the information he'd get if he did a credit check on you (which he needs the SSN for and probably will do anyway) so it may be a matter of seeing if you try to hide stuff.

LadyMillil

Is there parking included? At our place we had to provide the make, model, year, colour and license plate of my car for the building security company. The didn't need the info until the lease was signed. We wanted the lease in both our names so we each had to fill out the rental application form. I've never needed to provide the rest of the highlighted info though.

HisGirlFriday13

When DH and I applied to live in our current apartment, we both had to fill out rental agreements; we both had to supply our DL and SSN; we had to supply make/model/year of vehicle; provide employment history; and write down how much we make. Other than that, we didn't have to do anything near what this guy wants.

Since our complex allows animals, there is a separate form your pet's vet has to fill out to verify that your dog/cat is up-to-date on shots and whatever else, and I get that, too.

But the bank account and balance information is just way too personal.

OnceUponAVine

A lot of that seems over the top for a rental (I would understand if you were applying for a mortgage). Separate applications i understand if they run criminal background checks. The driver license # and car make/model/tag I understand- it gives them you're name and lets them know which cars belong on the property. I would not provide banking info unless you're having rent directly pulled from your account or SSN unless you're signing something where you agree to a credit check. And the car/lien/credit card info is not something I would give out. If they want that info then they can run a standard credit check.

emmyg65

Why don't you offer to pay for a credit check instead? When we moved in to our apartment, our landlord charged us for it. It was only $25. But no way in hell would I give out my bank account or Social Security numbers.

blabla89

That sounds like a scam, or at best it sounds like he's trying to get around paying for a credit check (which is pretty sketchy). I not give that information or even look at the place.



ETA: I have had to provide things like proof of income, employment history, vehicle info, etc. But bank account numbers, SSNs, credit card and car loan info, is something I wouldn't be comfortable giving out.

grumbledore

lovesclimbing said:

So my H and I are moving. One of the houses we looked at asked for what seems like a TON of information.  We've never had a rental owner ask for this much info before. This is what they asked for on the agreement. I bolded the stuff that seems over the top to us.

-Both of us have to fill out separate agreements.
-Date of birth
-Driver's license number
-SSN
-Bank account numbers
-Current balance of said accounts
-Any car loans
-Name of lien holder for car loans
-Amount left owed on car loans
-Credit cards owned
-Amount owed on credit cards
-Employment history
-Current employers
-How much we make
-Three previous renters
-Vehicles make, model, year, license number, color

Does this seem over the top to any of you?

That's way too much.  Frankly anything more than what's needed to run a credit check is way  too much.  Income verification is fine I think, especially in areas with high rental prices/levels of default.

grumbledore

tortoisebride said:

That's all pretty normal in my experience. I'm surprised other people are so shocked by it.

It's about finding out whether you can afford to be there or not and also whether you're a responsible person. The bank balances tell them if you have the savings to cover rent if you lose a job for a week or so. I'd leave off the bank account numbers, but the SSN and loans and balances and car info are absolutely normal in my experience renting in NJ and MA. It's also not any different from the information he'd get if he did a credit check on you (which he needs the SSN for and probably will do anyway) so it may be a matter of seeing if you try to hide stuff.

I live in MA and have never been asked for 90% of that information.  I could see asking about car make and models and plate numbers once you've been accepted as a tenant IF there is assigned parking.  But I wouldn't expect to be asked for this much info unless I was trying to rent a freaking penthouse or something.

FiancB

I agree it's too much. WTF does he need a bank account number for? SSN and DL aren't so unusual since I think that's needed for background/credit checks, and car info is probably needed for parking, but the bank and car loan stuff is loony. 

emmaaa

If this is a private owner: yes, way too much information.

If it is a rental company: still a little excessive.

SmileDamnit

It's a bit over the top in my experience, but not terribly off. I'm 36 and have only ever been a renter; leases have been everything from overly simple (sign your name) to pretty extensive (account numbers, credit information, etc.). I agree that you should offer to pull your credit report in lieu of that much detail, however. It will provide most of what he/she is asking.

KeptInStitches

For a private owner, way too much information. For a rental company, a little excessive - approximate bank account balance is normal in my area, bank account number is not. Nothing else really raised my eyebrows.

theartistformerlyknownas

Definitely trying to hodgepodge together a credit check without paying for it. He would end up getting a lot of that information through that credit check anyway, but it's a shady way of going about it. I would wonder what else he was cutting corners on.

Car info is standard. He'll need to know which cars belong there.

arrippa

I have always been a renter and I have had various different kind of landlords. I have never given out my bank acct number or status of my loans (although they probably got that info from my credit report). If my current rental associate had asked for that information, I would have walked. SSN and drivers license number are pretty standard on any rental agreement though.

Since I  use their parking lot, I also had to give my car info to them (make, model, year and color).

Sugargirl1019

I'd be worried that he might steal your identity with all of that info!!

phira

That seems inappropriately over-the-top for a rental. Yes, they should do a credit check, but they don't need all of that info for a credit check. Yes, it's okay for them to know how much you make. Yes, they need your car info if you're parking. Your loans are none of their business. Your bank account info is ABSOLUTELY none of their business. Do not rent.

lyndausvi

lovesclimbing said:

So my H and I are moving. One of the houses we looked at asked for what seems like a TON of information.  We've never had a rental owner ask for this much info before. This is what they asked for on the agreement. I bolded the stuff that seems over the top to us.

-Both of us have to fill out separate agreements.
-Date of birth
-Driver's license number
-SSN
-Bank account numbers
-Current balance of said accounts
-Any car loans
-Name of lien holder for car loans
-Amount left owed on car loans
-Credit cards owned
-Amount owed on credit cards
-Employment history
-Current employers
-How much we make
-Three previous renters
-Vehicles make, model, year, license number, color

Does this seem over the top to any of you?

Yellow highlighted stuff has always been pretty standard for applying

Purple highlighted is after approval when filling out the lease.  Mostly used for parking.   We are often asked to provide information on our dog(s).  Including breed, age, weight, color and license numbers and sometimes proof of vaccinations.

Red I've never been asked nor would I ever provide.

theartistformerlyknownas

Anyone saying they don't need all your account balances, etc, and you'd never give that information... hate to break it to you, but that's exactly what they get when they run your credit. When you give your name, DOB and SSN, they turn around and get:

• Trade Lines.
  These are your credit accounts. Lenders report on each account you have established with them. They report the type of account (bankcard, auto loan, mortgage, etc), the date you opened the account, your credit limit or loan amount, the account balance and your payment history.
• Credit Inquiries.
  When you apply for a loan, you authorize your lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. This is how inquiries appear on your credit report. The inquiries section contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years. The report you see lists both "voluntary" inquiries, spurred by your own requests for credit, and "involuntary" inquires, such as when lenders order your report so as to make you a pre-approved credit offer in the mail.
• Public Record and Collection Items.
  Credit reporting agencies also collect public record information from state and county courts, and information on overdue debt from collection agencies. Public record information includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens and judgments.

This is standard. They get the full shebang, not just your score, to determine if you're a trustworthy renter. This is why you do your due diligence and ensure that your potential landlord is legit before you submit an application because yes, anyone with this information could hypothetically steal your identity. So could the people in HR at your job. Never rent on Craigslist, always use a realtor (it costs you nothing as a renter. they get their fee from the landlord).

huskypuppy14

lolo883 said:

Anyone saying they don't need all your account balances, etc, and you'd never give that information... hate to break it to you, but that's exactly what they get when they run your credit. When you give your name, DOB and SSN, they turn around and get:

• Trade Lines.
  These are your credit accounts. Lenders report on each account you have established with them. They report the type of account (bankcard, auto loan, mortgage, etc), the date you opened the account, your credit limit or loan amount, the account balance and your payment history.
• Credit Inquiries.
  When you apply for a loan, you authorize your lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. This is how inquiries appear on your credit report. The inquiries section contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years. The report you see lists both "voluntary" inquiries, spurred by your own requests for credit, and "involuntary" inquires, such as when lenders order your report so as to make you a pre-approved credit offer in the mail.
• Public Record and Collection Items.
  Credit reporting agencies also collect public record information from state and county courts, and information on overdue debt from collection agencies. Public record information includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens and judgments.

This is standard. They get the full shebang, not just your score, to determine if you're a trustworthy renter. This is why you do your due diligence and ensure that your potential landlord is legit before you submit an application because yes, anyone with this information could hypothetically steal your identity. So could the people in HR at your job. Never rent on Craigslist, always use a realtor (it costs you nothing as a renter. they get their fee from the landlord).

Not true. In MA it's up to the landlord who pays the realtor fee. It varies from no fee to full fee, which is up to 1 months rent.

Also, I agree with @lyndausvi except for the bank account number. You realize this is on all your checks, right. Now, that doesn't mean you have to give them all your bank accounts, just the one your rent checks will come out of. 

emmyg65

Ha, I've only ever rented on Craigslist and always lived in wonderful apartments with superb landlords. I've never even heard of anyone using a realtor to rent.

lyndausvi

huskypuppy14 said:

lolo883 said:

Anyone saying they don't need all your account balances, etc, and you'd never give that information... hate to break it to you, but that's exactly what they get when they run your credit. When you give your name, DOB and SSN, they turn around and get:

• Trade Lines.
  These are your credit accounts. Lenders report on each account you have established with them. They report the type of account (bankcard, auto loan, mortgage, etc), the date you opened the account, your credit limit or loan amount, the account balance and your payment history.
• Credit Inquiries.
  When you apply for a loan, you authorize your lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. This is how inquiries appear on your credit report. The inquiries section contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years. The report you see lists both "voluntary" inquiries, spurred by your own requests for credit, and "involuntary" inquires, such as when lenders order your report so as to make you a pre-approved credit offer in the mail.
• Public Record and Collection Items.
  Credit reporting agencies also collect public record information from state and county courts, and information on overdue debt from collection agencies. Public record information includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens and judgments.

This is standard. They get the full shebang, not just your score, to determine if you're a trustworthy renter. This is why you do your due diligence and ensure that your potential landlord is legit before you submit an application because yes, anyone with this information could hypothetically steal your identity. So could the people in HR at your job. Never rent on Craigslist, always use a realtor (it costs you nothing as a renter. they get their fee from the landlord).

Not true. In MA it's up to the landlord who pays the realtor fee. It varies from no fee to full fee, which is up to 1 months rent.

Also, I agree with @lyndausvi except for the bank account number. You realize this is on all your checks, right. Now, that doesn't mean you have to give them all your bank accounts, just the one your rent checks will come out of. 

Yeah, I hear what you are saying.   I've never been asked for that information on an application or in any lease.  Sure they could get it from a check, not everyone writes checks for rent.

And yes lolo is right. those things show on your credit check anyway.  Which is why I would think it was odd to ask for the details. Unless of course you are trying to avoid the credit process.  

Funny thing.  Our current landlord and some landlords I've had in the past have give us their bank account number.  Yep, once I month I just deposit the rent money in their account. 

SapphireCounselor

HisGirlFriday13 said:

When DH and I applied to live in our current apartment, we both had to fill out rental agreements; we both had to supply our DL and SSN; we had to supply make/model/year of vehicle; provide employment history; and write down how much we make. Other than that, we didn't have to do anything near what this guy wants.

Since our complex allows animals, there is a separate form your pet's vet has to fill out to verify that your dog/cat is up-to-date on shots and whatever else, and I get that, too.

But the bank account and balance information is just way too personal.

Yeah...Account numbers (except the one I'm paying rent from because they will get that via check anyway), and especially asking for the current balance of said account, is where I call BS. SSN for a credit check? Sure. Employment info and verification is fine as well. But if you're renting a place to me you shouldn't need to know much more than that about my finances to prove I can make the rent.

ETA for clarity.

theartistformerlyknownas

huskypuppy14 said:

lolo883 said:

Anyone saying they don't need all your account balances, etc, and you'd never give that information... hate to break it to you, but that's exactly what they get when they run your credit. When you give your name, DOB and SSN, they turn around and get:

• Trade Lines.
  These are your credit accounts. Lenders report on each account you have established with them. They report the type of account (bankcard, auto loan, mortgage, etc), the date you opened the account, your credit limit or loan amount, the account balance and your payment history.
• Credit Inquiries.
  When you apply for a loan, you authorize your lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. This is how inquiries appear on your credit report. The inquiries section contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years. The report you see lists both "voluntary" inquiries, spurred by your own requests for credit, and "involuntary" inquires, such as when lenders order your report so as to make you a pre-approved credit offer in the mail.
• Public Record and Collection Items.
  Credit reporting agencies also collect public record information from state and county courts, and information on overdue debt from collection agencies. Public record information includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens and judgments.

This is standard. They get the full shebang, not just your score, to determine if you're a trustworthy renter. This is why you do your due diligence and ensure that your potential landlord is legit before you submit an application because yes, anyone with this information could hypothetically steal your identity. So could the people in HR at your job. Never rent on Craigslist, always use a realtor (it costs you nothing as a renter. they get their fee from the landlord).

Not true. In MA it's up to the landlord who pays the realtor fee. It varies from no fee to full fee, which is up to 1 months rent.

Also, I agree with @lyndausvi except for the bank account number. You realize this is on all your checks, right. Now, that doesn't mean you have to give them all your bank accounts, just the one your rent checks will come out of. 

Hm. In Michigan it's half of one month's rent, paid by the property owner. 

JCbride2015

Lolo is right about the credit check thing.  But I've also been asked for all this type of info in the OP without (or in addition to) an actual credit check.  We had to prove we (or in this case, our guarantor bc we are not loaded) make 40x the rent each year.  Or that we had full rent for the year already in a bank account.

Realtor fees here (NYC area) are always paid by the renter.  Which really sucks because you basically must have a realtor if you want any chance in this market.  We got around it by renting from a large management company with no fee, but we pay slightly higher rent than if we rented from a private landlord, so I'm sure it evens out in the end.

Here's the other side of the coin though-- why are we, as renters, not examine our landlord's finances?  We lost a TON of property after Hurricane Sandy because our landlord was not financially sound enough to drain out the water and make necessary repairs.  All of our stuff, including heirloom furniture, sat in the standing disgusting water for days.  Finally our next door neighbor (who owns her unit) paid to have our apartment drained because the water was leaking into her home.  Then it took the landlord a month to give back our security deposit.

This is another major reason we now rent from a reputable management company.  It's rental suicide to ask those kinds of questions of your landlord, but you really need to be able to count on your landlord to make basic repairs and upkeep.  If they can't even come up with $2000 to pump out floodwater (when they own a building with ten units, probably bringing in upward of $30k/mo in rent), something financially is off.