Applicant without an SSN, only has ITIN

[Kelly N.]

Hello BP,

I have a couple who plans to apply tomorrow for one of my apartments.  The husband does not have an SSN, but has an ITIN.  The wife is not yet 18.  They currently live locally with family but would like to rent my one bedroom apartment to get out on their own.

How do I screen them?  Every background check agency I have contacted (including the one I usually use) needs an SSN.  I rely on the background checks to check for criminal activity and to see if they have had any evictions in their past, credit screening just tells me a bit about their spending habits.  So how do I check for criminal and eviction proceedings without an SSN?  The local courts are not searchable even with a name and DOB, and of course that would tell me nothing about any activity where he might have lived before anyway, assuming that the info provided on the application is correct...

Is there a way to get the info I need, or should I just move on?  

Thanks for your advance,

Kelly

[Kelly N.]

Thanks, I was thinking it might be better to move on.  No applications from anyone (even these guys) yet, but I have a few prospects so I am not stressing about getting it rented.

I have done co-signers in the past due to tenants not meeting the income requirements, but after a bad experience now have the policy that I will do this for students only.