Yup, posting another question

Have any of you ever applied for a place to rent and had them ask for bank account numbers or creditor (I think these are credit cards) account numbers? I never had until tonight and I am feeling a bit uncomfortable with this. They also ask for SSN but I have seen that before.

first part yes i have.
And no they dont need you SSN number, any place that asks for that i tell them no.

Where I live they do but it is usually apartments. They ask for this information to verify that you have some way to pay them..but if you feel uncomfortable about it..I would say to follow that instinct it is usually right!

Originally Posted by theimp98

first part yes i have.
And no they dont need you SSN number, any place that asks for that i tell them no.

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Really? I have never had anyone ask for my bank account numbers. I was sitting here thinking, hmm, they could take my money with all of that info. SSN, I just figured was for the credit check. While I don't feel all that comfortable with them taking my SSN, I have at least experienced that before.

I wouldn't give anybody my bank account number! I'd really question what they are going to do with the credit card number. Sounds bogus to me!

We used to make a renter's resume, and the landlord or property manager could call former places we'd rented and find out about our payment record. Like you, I'm very uncomfortable about giving out bank account numbers and wouldn't do it.

Hmm, that is kinda odd...I wouldn't be giving that info out to just anyone! You just never know what they are capable of!!

Thanks everyone! I thought it seemed a little off-- I didn't have to do it to move in here and this is a managed building! This place I am applying for is owned by a guy with quite a few houses, but he is still an individual. I can see him wanting to know if I can pay, but isn't that what the rental contract is for? He could kick me out if I violate the contract.

I would never give out that information, especially SSN's. Of course if you wrote a cheque your account number will be on the cheque anyway so I don't think that's a huge problem. Protect your SSN (SIN for us Canadians) with your life!

I probably wouldn't.....what if they take your application home and lose it on the way

I've lived in two apartments, and I'm in a rental house right now and I've never been asked for either #

I wouldn't give out a SSN, but your bank account # is on every check you pass, so it's out there. Just having the checking account # doesn't mean someone can access your account or else everyone you ever wrote a check to could get into it.

Checks are dangerous too! The information at the bottom of your check is routing number, check acct number, and check number. I get scared with my checks being out there also. That didn't dawn on me till I worked for a company that takes electronic checks, or credit cards for orders........ It has been a long time since I rented but I would feel very uncomfortable giving out information such as bank account, and SSN.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

I wouldn't give anybody my bank account number! I'd really question what they are going to do with the credit card number. Sounds bogus to me!

We used to make a renter's resume, and the landlord or property manager could call former places we'd rented and find out about our payment record. Like you, I'm very uncomfortable about giving out bank account numbers and wouldn't do it.

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And whether the information is available elsewhere or not, e.g on your cheques, it's one thing for the person to read that information off a cheque given to him as part of a contract that you have entered into, and quite another for a total stranger to ask for it, prior to having such a relationship. Gives me the willies, that does.

you have to give a SSN for the credit check.
For the ones who posted they wouldnt give that out - how do you get them to rent to you if they required a credit check??

:confused

nope..only had them ask me for my supervisors at work and previous rental info...
no bank numbers...

That banking information is on your checks though, many places will ask that you give them a voided check, they can get much of that same information from that. But that is mostly banking type companies, never to rent a house. I could see them checking your credit or wanting references and to check your rent history but if you have a bad feeling then pass. I have rented in various cities and places and never once been asked to provide banking information or my SS#. I guess a deposit is like asking for your banking information though, since all your banking information is on the check.

We're landlords, and exchanging bank account numbers/bank codes just prior to signing the lease is standard. We need their info to have our bank get a bank reference, and they need ours in order to transfer the security deposit and set up a standing order (automatic credit transfer) for the rent. Personal checks no longer exist here.