Rent application and SSN

[Andrea Campo]

Hi Everyone, 

My wife and I will move from Italy to Pittsburgh in May and we are looking for a house to rent. I'm Italian, she is from the US.

We noticed that all the rent applications require to provide the SSN. Is it safe to give it? Is there a way to avoid it?

Moreover, if I apply under my name, I can show the salary I will get in Pittsburgh but I'm not sure what my credit score is (I just got my SSN and opened a bank account, but I haven't found a way to check my credit score from Italy without a US phone number). On the other hand, if she applies, her credit score is excellent but her income is very little.

How does this work? Is the income/credit check only on the person that applies or on the household?

Also, if we asked a real estate agent to look for properties for us, could (s)he help with the application process? Is the agent paid by us or by the landlord?

I'm sorry but this is completely different from the procedures in Italy and I'm a little confused.

Thank you for your help!

[Greg M.]

Most every landlord will ask for your SSN. They need this to run your credit. It's generally safe. You'll be giving out your SSN for lots of things (applying for insurance, going to the doctor, your job, credit applications, etc). 

Most landlords will look at combined income of the tenants. It's not uncommon for one person to make 100% of the income and the other to be a stay-at-home parent.

Forget about your credit score. If you just got your SSN and have no history in the US, it's probably going to come back with no score as there is not enough info on you to create a score. 

If you ask an agent to find you a place, they may get compensated by either you or the landlord. They may show you places that have been listed via agents for multiple landlords and there can be payment from the landlord included with that. Or they may show you lots of places and ask that you compensate them. Work this out ahead of time. 

Is your job a continuation of the one you had in Italy? Same company, you just got transferred to a US division? If so, you're better off. If not, you may have more trouble finding a place. Most landlords like to see job stability and you being the main source of income having a brand new job will be of concern to many landlords. Don't be surprised to be turned down for a place or requested to provide a larger security deposit. Make sure you have paperwork from your new job showing your salary. No landlord is going to take your word on it. 

FYI, you better know where in Pittsburgh you want to live.