Use tax id to run background check?

[Jingru Sui]

Hi, one of my potential tenant was asking if she can use her tax id instead of SSN. Can I use a tax ID to run background check? She said her roommate is going to have SSN but is also fairly new. What does fellow landlord do if your tenant only has Tax ID not SSN?

Thanks so much!

[Nathan Gesner]

@Victor N. is partially correct. The ITIN is issued to an individual that is LEGALLY in the country and allowed to work. In other words, they are not just here to visit or vacation. They are fully documented and fully legal.

I don't know if a credit/criminal would show anything but you should definitely require proof of their ITIN to verify identity and their legal status. They should also have employment that can be verified.

Just remember they are not citizens of the country. If they leave owing you money, you won't be able to go after them. That's not a disqualifier but it's something to be aware of and I would want to make sure there were no red flags before renting to them.