Canadian Applicant with no SSN

[Benjamin Amaral]

I just finished a total gut and rebuild of a duplex after a fire, and listed my 2 units a week and a half ago. Very few hits at this time. I am asking for top of the market rent, which certainly has something to do with it. I own this duplex in NH and it's a poor time of year to rent. I have a Canadian applicant, along with his American girlfriend, who want to tour the units and apply. The tenant advised me his girlfriend would submit an application, but not him. He stated he doesn't want his credit report to take any more hard inquiries. He said he's been through the wringer trying to apply for units. He has his Canadian credit report he can provide to me. He said he doesn't yet have a SSN and is working on his citizenship. He has been in the US for over a year. Having not yet verified his income, he would well qualify. He is the only one of the couple that has income right now, with is wife due to start bringing in a small income within a couple of months once she graduates from school. He made the comment that once he establishes a residence, he can then apply for his SSN. Again, he has been here for over a year. Prior to NH, he was living in NJ with his girlfriend. I'm not sure yet if he was on that lease or not.

Definitely some red flags here for me. I will not accept anyone who does not submit an application (I used apartments.com). So he would have to agree to that. Obviously, other people are rejecting him right now. Without a SSN, I'm not sure what the background check would pick up. Maybe he does have a SSN and is not being honest about that. However, it's possible this could all make sense, minus not wanting to submit an application, which he would have to do. I don't know what the deal is with immigration status, being a Canadian, and trying to obtain citizenship and a SSN. Does anyone have any insight into this applicant? I don't want to bother showing him the unit if anyone can give me clear insight into this situation that makes it a 100% no go.