Collecting SSN? & Cozy.co?

Question

https://www.landlordology.com/do-landlords-need-social-security-numbers/

Per the article in the link and looking into Cozy.co they don't collect SSN of applicants.

I am all for not collecting them to reduce liability and making the credit check a soft inquiry so it doesn't hurt the applicant but if you collect the SSN when signing the lease how do you verify that it is their actually SSN and not just a made up number?

Jeff B. · Answer

I've always required the SSN to enable full access to the Credit Report - - no report, no rental.  The FICO is of no interest, but in a full report, you get the 30,60,90 day lates and that tells you everything IMO.

As @Austin Youmans notes, it's also a future insurance :)

Austin Youmans · Answer

@John Anderson I know you don't need it for a background check but you do need it if you have to send them to collections in the future, right? so I see it more as a future security than a present need.

Robert Smith · Answer

That is a good question and something that property managers now are dealing with, whether or not to take a SSN. Whether the SSN is made up or not, you should be able to collect enough information about them and have references and information verified before moving them into the home. If you need to take them to court a SSN is not required. I personally like to pull the background along with the criminal record and I still collect all my tenants SSN's. I always collect a copy of their drivers license or ID, you can collect a copy of their SSN card as well if you are worried about it being made up. Anything you collect make sure you keep secure and have the tenant authorize you collecting and using this information to pull their information along with an authorization for you to be able to collect information from their references, such as past rental and employment.