How much is too much renting disclosure?

I just moved in to a (rented) apartment in a pretty fancy building. They required proof of income (copy of most recent paycheck was fine) and a deposit, but bank account numbers...? No flippin' way. And if it's a private family, as opposed to a large (and sue-able) company, I'd be feeling even more nervous.

In my own limited experience, asking for account numbers is not acceptable. The potential for fraud and identity theft is just too much of a risk.
 

 Yeah, that is sort of what I was thinking

They just printed off a general form (i,e, it wasn't a form they designed themselves) so I am not sure they even want it. Its a nice family with kids, so they don't seem shady or anything (but you never know so I thought I would gather opinions) But I though actual account numbers was a bit much. You can get a credit report just with name, card type, and social, as far as I know.

Also, when renting from a private owner, are they expect to keep up maintenance on the place (something big breaks, yardwork - it has a nice bit of acreage and it a tad overgrown, etc) or is that your responsibility?  My parents insist it is theirs and not mine, but since I've only rented from companies before I was unsure.

Mike and I rented a house when we first got together.  I think you can just leave off your account numbers on that application.  As long as they can get a credit check if that's what they want that should be sufficient. 

As for the maintenence of the house, yes, it is the responsibility of the landlord.  That includes mowing and taking care of the yard.  But, we always mowed our own because to wait for them to get over to do it was just ridiculous--it would get too long.  And, we shoveled our own snow too for the same reasons. 

Seems to me once they have your SSN they can run a credit check and find out anything they want to know.  If you give them a check for a deposit, they'll have you checking account # anyway so there's really no need for them to be asking for that, JMO and I really can't think of a reason why they would want you to give that to them. It shouldn't matter how much you have or don't have in the bank - as long as the rent checks don't bounce.

Joyce

I've rented 4 different places and have never been asked for account numbers, nor would I provide them.  Our two most recent landlords did credit checks on us but did not need that information.

 The SO and I lived in VT for a couple of years and the place we rented wanted our bank account numbers.  I refused, as I had my checking account hacked into at one point in my life so no way am I going to provide it to anyone.  My SO got upset with me (we were desperate to find a place, and this was the first place we found that was affordable and not decrepit) but the landlords did not seem to care when I explained that I do not want my bank account numbers out there due to having 3K dollars taken from me that I never got back. 

the_gopher

 The SO and I lived in VT for a couple of years and the place we rented wanted our bank account numbers.  I refused, as I had my checking account hacked into at one point in my life so no way am I going to provide it to anyone.  My SO got upset with me (we were desperate to find a place, and this was the first place we found that was affordable and not decrepit) but the landlords did not seem to care when I explained that I do not want my bank account numbers out there due to having 3K dollars taken from me that I never got back. 

I have never and never would provide this information.  My identity was stolen last year and ALL of our money was stolen.  I don't even give out my SS#...nope, no way. 

mrstjohnson

I have never and never would provide this information.  My identity was stolen last year and ALL of our money was stolen.  I don't even give out my SS#...nope, no way. 

Oh gosh mrstjohnson I am so sorry you went through this!  I was very very very lucky.  I see absolutely no reason to require bank account numbers.  Nor could those landlords in VT provide me with a reasonable explanation for them.  

mrstjohnson

I have never and never would provide this information.  My identity was stolen last year and ALL of our money was stolen.  I don't even give out my SS#...nope, no way. 

One of the things that really pi$$es me off about these situations is that  you wind up getting victimized twice.  Once by  the person who steals your identity, hacks into your accounts and empties them, and again by the bank who likes to believe that you actually gave your check/debit card and the pin to a stranger and told them it was OK to do this - which is their way of getting themselves off the hook to replace your lost money.

Joyce

 No, I would never ever give out any type of account numbers, privately owned or large company..no way! I rented about 5 times and never once had to provide things like that. SSN and proof of income yes, but I think account #'s sounds absurd and suspicious.

Ok problem solved - they said they just printed the app off and the only thing they really want is a credit check, which is fine by me. And I'm only responsible for taking care of the immediate front and backyard, they'll take care of the pasture. Hoooray! I;d really like to move there. 550/mo + utilities for a 2br 2 ba old but nice little mobile home with 2+ fenced acres.

It does bother me that while my credit report is fine, my credit score is very low (since my accounts are very new and I do not have much history) 

Your credit score will go up nicely over the next few years -- it's hard when you first start out, but we're 23 and we have pretty high scores for our age, but mostly that's been within the past couple years of having "real" jobs and such.  Stable jobs and living in one place for a length of time also looks good, especially to car loan folks, for example.  Your credit-to-debt ration plays a role as well, so paying down debt and staying below 30% of your available credit really helps you to look good as well.

 I'm not sure what they see when they run your credit report, but if you run it, it should tell you that your score is lower because you don't have the length of credit, or other reasons.  I'd think they'd be much more interested in your history of making payments and not being late or not paying at all, than the fact that you haven't had credit for many years.  Or at least I would be.

And, even though you've cleared up what their intentions were, for the record I wouldn't give out account numbers.  Bad enough to have to use a SSN for so much, whatever happened to that being *secret*.

I am a landlord for 3 rental units (and used to run a 6-unit building) and have never asked for that much info and wouldn't because of exactly what you are hesitant about.  To run a credit check with the service I use, all I need is a SS#, last permanent address, date of birth, and name.  I ask for income info just to ensure that they person can cover the rent.  They should definitely not need your bank account or credit card numbers for the credit check.

Did you know you can "FREEZE" your credit so anyone who wants to get credit in your name has to jump through hoops????BTW that includes you,  if you want to get credit for something you need to PROVE your identity.

Here is a state by state breakdown on this: http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html

In some states the freeze is free, and in others the fee varies but it looks like it averages around $5-10.

IMHO, even $10 is a small price to pay to keep your credit info safe. DH's soc sec number was stolen and used to get credit and he THOUGHT his info. was secure---It appears the number was taken from a file in a doctor's office back when insurance companies used ss numbers for id...

Glad the place looks like a good fit for you. :) I would ask them to shred the report and your number once thy are satisfied that you are a good credit risk.