Applicants that are not US citizens - Landlord Forum thread 326191

Applicants that are not US citizens by Chuck (WA) on October 23, 2014 @01:50

How do you all handle it when you get applicants that don't have citizenship? How are you vetting applicants here on a visa?

I had one bad experience in the past where the tenant was a Canidian citizen who skipped out on rent and utilities in the last two months of the lease. My lawyer said I couldn't pursue them into canada / it wouldn't be worth it.

I don't want to just turn down every person without an SSN as there are plenty of people here to work or go to school on a visa and do pay their bills. Also enacting a SSN policy could be construed as discrimination. Anyway, let me know what you do to avoid these issues.

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Re: Applicants that are not US citizens by B on October 23, 2014 @03:34	[ Reply ]

Wording is key. Without a SSN you cannot verify credit rating. You can stipulate any credit rating you wish for your rental, with no verification of credit rating = no rent. Sorry you had a bad experience and you're right, not everyone would skip out on you and not pay their bills, but you pay for it when they don't. Stick to people who have a SSN which allows you to screen your applicants thoroughly, instead of taking a shot in the dark.

Re: Applicants that are not US citizens by MrDan (Georgia) on October 23, 2014 @09:08	[ Reply ]

Any individual can obtain a federal identification number from the social security administration. Even if the individual is present in the U.S. unlawfully, they can obtain a federal identification number. To obtain one, the individual must go the Social Security Administration and complete an application. It is a very quick process. With the federal identification number, you should be able to run a credit check and a criminal background check just as with a social security number. The reports that are generated might be more "sketchy"ť than what you are used to, but they are reports nonetheless. http://www.thegoodwynn.com/pdf/Goodwynn%20Supplemental%20for%20Non%20US%20Citizen.pdf

Re: Applicants that are not US citizens by Anonymous on October 23, 2014 @16:03	[ Reply ]

No, enacting a SSN policy would not be considered discrimination. People without a SSN are not a protected class. Non-Citizens are not a protected class. Illegal aliens are not a protected class. As the other poster said, stick to those with a SSN and ditch the others.