Is it normal for a rental application to ask for all the details necessary to not only check a bank account, but also to make changes to that account? Dianna and I looked at a nice place over the weekend, but the guy wants my full name, SSN, bank address, bank account #, DOB, and mother's maiden name on the application. Which makes me a little worried, because I've transferred large sums of money from one account to another using only my SSN, bank account number, and mother's maiden name. I'm sure the owner means well, but I'm not in the habit of handing the keys to the vault over to strangers. I really don't want to anger the guy by suggesting he's a thief, though, because not only is this a nice possible housing option, but I think the guy could tear me in half like the hundreds of shredded phone books that litter his dwelling.
I don't remember if they made me do all that. I think all you should have to give out is the information that comes on a credit report. you should check with a tenants' rights org.
Posted by: didofoot on January 6, 2003 02:08 PMyou should check with a tenant's right org. but other than the mother's maiden name, i've given all that information before.
Posted by: michele on January 6, 2003 02:21 PMMom's maiden name sounds super suspicious. Maybe you don't want to be running with that crowd anyway.
Posted by: jason on January 6, 2003 04:15 PMlooks like you've got all the advice you need, but i must put in my two cents on this one... mother's maiden name = not appropriate. that's if you space and forget your pin or something, as a *precaution* so psycho landlords can't take all your money and run. and i don't think he'd be justified in freaking out if you don't give him that. hmm, maybe that was more like four cents. whatever, there they are.
Posted by: erica on January 6, 2003 07:17 PMI agree with all of the sentiments above...but seeing as I like to hear myself type....er, something... I'll add that if saying that you are hesitant to give over your whole life story upsets this dude, you DO NOT want him as your landlord... sweet place or not.
Posted by: Jolie on January 6, 2003 08:05 PMI think I've found the solution. I'm going to give him my mom's old first name and call it her maiden name. If he phones me and says, "You didn't list your mother's maiden name correctly," then I know was trying something silly, yet sinister. But if he doesn't comment, then no one's the wiser.
Posted by: Jacob on January 7, 2003 01:17 AM