[shcisamax]

My son is in college in Chicago and is about to sign with a couple buddies for an apartment. They are asking the boys for copies of both their ss numbers and birth certificates. Anyone know if this is normal practice in Illinois? It seems awfully risky to hand over that kind of info.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

My son is in college in Chicago and is about to sign with a couple buddies for an apartment. They are asking the boys for copies of both their ss numbers and birth certificates. Anyone know if this is normal practice in Illinois? It seems awfully risky to hand over that kind of info.

I wish I knew. We are about to pay for overpriced rent in a run down house for our grandson, that just finished the two years in the college owned dorm.

I don't know the term for most rental owners in Athens, Ohio, but boy do they get a lot of bang for our bucks.

[shcisamax]

The woman that is in charge of the building said because they also take section 8 in this particular building, they are required to get a ss number and a birth certificate to verify. I asked how long you hang on to the documents after verification. She said they can keep them up to three years. I said what if someone breaks in. She said they could break in to the building but the files are locked. I just thought...are you insane? A birth certificate AND a ss #...we all could have new identities. She said that is the way they do it in Chicago...I could say something political here but don't want to be sent to the posting corner.

[llaran]

I checked with my daughter who has rented severaltimes in Chicago. She said it is not a legal requirement, theydo need you to sign a request for credit check. Birth certificate will show race, which may be the reason. Ss# could be for backround check. They could call 311 the city info line or the board of realtors.

[shcisamax]

Why do they need to know your race?? That is discrimination. I will try board of realtors. Thanks.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by llaran

I checked with my daughter who has rented severaltimes in Chicago. She said it is not a legal requirement, theydo need you to sign a request for credit check. Birth certificate will show race, which may be the reason. Ss# could be for backround check. They could call 311 the city info line or the board of realtors.

When I was renting in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs (1983 to 1998), no landlord or management company ever asked for my birth certificate, only my SS # to do a credit check. More and more apartments are also now doing a criminal background check on potential renters. If I rent my townhouse located in the northwest suburbs, my homeowner's assn. passed a rule about 3 years ago requiring me to pay for a criminal background check on any potential renter, and to submit the results of the background check to the homeowner's association to review.

Hope your son is enjoying living in the Windy City.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

The woman that is in charge of the building said because they also take section 8 in this particular building, they are required to get a ss number and a birth certificate to verify. I asked how long you hang on to the documents after verification. She said they can keep them up to three years. I said what if someone breaks in. She said they could break in to the building but the files are locked. I just thought...are you insane? A birth certificate AND a ss #...we all could have new identities. She said that is the way they do it in Chicago...I could say something political here but don't want to be sent to the posting corner.

IF you are so opposed to giving the information to the landlord, DON'T.

If you are going to paying the rent for the apartment, your son will have to play by your rules. However, if he has the money himself, it is his right to do whatever he deems appropriate.

As to the legality of providing a birth certificate, I would guess that is to prove name and age. I would think a copy of a passport would be the best ID but I am not in the situation.

[shcisamax]

He is paying for the apartment but asked me if it was customary to give your birth certificate along with the SS #. I thought the answer was no but felt it fair to check. I have spoken to the legal dept. of the city of Chicago and they said absolutely not. I think the passport may prove to be a better option. But clearly the woman that told me the government requires it was speaking with forked tongue.