Effective tenant verification is essential for placing good tenants in your rental units. Bad tenants don't pay their rent on time, if at all, and may damage your property.
It's easy to perform these background checks if you have proof of their identity, such as a social security number.
Yet, growing concerns about identity theft mean tenants might not always provide this information. In North Carolina, tenants aren't required to provide their social security number if they don't want to.
Can you do a tenant background check without a social security number? Read on to find out how.
Tenant Screening: A Legal Context
Reliable tenant selection relies on investigating a few aspects of prospective tenant information, but there are limitations on how you use this information.
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot discriminate against tenants based on the following factors:
- Race
- Gender
- Religion
- Color
- National origin or ethnic background
- Familial status
- Mental or physical disability
The only exception is the 'Mrs. Murphy' exemption, which excludes certain owner-occupied rental dwellings from the provisions of the Fair Housing Act.
In North Carolina, landlords are entitled to ask prospective tenants for their social security number, but the applicant isn't forced to provide this. Since SSN documents are near-impossible to forge, this law protects landlords from unscrupulous people using a fake identity on their tenant application.
Alternative Tenant Screening Methods
Qualms about a secure rental process are the main reason tenants are reluctant to provide their social security number in writing. So, landlords can work with their applicants to ensure the security of their information during these checks.
You can still perform a background check as long as you have the applicant's full name and date of birth. Some reports, such as eviction records, are available using these factors alone.
A registered and reputable tenant screening company can carry out a credit check without the applicant's social security number. They usually do this by contacting the applicant directly to verify any outstanding information.
Necessary Documentation for Tenant Background Checks
While an SSN is ideal for quick and effective tenant screening, you can use alternative documents to verify some of the information you need for this process. These are:
- Driver's license
- Pay stubs
- Bank statements
- Letter of employment
You can verify an applicant's criminal history using only their full name and date of birth, too. It's vital to cross-reference the tenant's signature on the application form with any documents provided.
Do You Need to Do a Tenant Background Check Without a Social Security Number?
The most effective way to do a tenant background check without a social security number is to hire an experienced property manager to explore legally compliant background check alternatives.
Carolina Property Management is a well-established company that has served North Carolina landlords since 2008. We are committed to increasingly excellent customer service and the highest standards of integrity.
We're adept at handling all your property management needs, including tenant background checks.
Discover the easy way to maximize your investment property profits today.
