Potential Tenant asks for my Credit Report

[reenzz]

What is the name of your state? NY

I am the landlord of a private 2 family home on Long Island. Yesterday, while showing the apartment, one potential renter...who seemed very interested, asked me for a current copy of my credit report along with my bank info and current employee pay stubs. It struck me a very funny and I giggled as I politely showed her to the door. She did state that her last landlord lost his house in a foreclosure...and she wanted to protect herself. I told her I owned the house...no mortgage...and this could be verified by any public property search. Any thoughts? Is this something that has become common with all the foreclosures going on?

[OHlandlord]

I can understand any potential tenant being worried about the LL's finances. But they are not entitled to a copy of my credit report or my personal information. (I am not indebted to them for more than their deposit.) I am entitled to theirs because I am entrusting them with thousands of dollars of my property. (There is a high risk that they could be indebted to me.) As you said, they can perform a public record search to show that the property has no mortgage on it and that no foreclosure filings have been made. They can also search for public records of liens, judgments, lawsuits, or tax problems in my name. If they are worried about their deposit, they can negotiate that it be placed in a seperate account if not mandated by state law. I certainly would be willing to do that for a tenant although it is not required in my state. But this tenant is going to have a hard time finding a place if she goes around asking for the LL's credit report. She'll be showed the door many times.

[applecruncher]

This also could have been an identity theft scam. Hate to sound paranoid, but they are so slick these days. Credit report, etc. would be an easy way to get all kinds of information - way too much information. As pointed out, she can find information on a property search.

[reenzz]

Good point cruncher...never even thought of that.

[Cvillecpm]

Past landlord situation is her problem not yours and I do think you are better to pass on her.

[applecruncher]

I had a wallet stolen fifteen (15) years ago before the term identity theft became popular; the ramifications were indescribable. At least 2 yrs of documentation and hassles. I’m probably more conscious about id theft than someone who hasn’t gone thru it. I also almost got pulled into (what I think was) an attempted id theft scam at a gas station last yr (nice looking lady standing around wanting to give coupons if we show our id). She caught me off-guard for a minute, was scrutinizing my DL too closely, I thought “whoa”, and pulled back. No thanks, lady keep your coupons.

One can never be too careful where identity theft is concerned. Your prospective tenant may have been ok, but it still sounds weird. I would never give someone like that my credit report or authorization to get my credit report (that has ss#!!!). Better safe than sorry.

[MIRAKALES]

Talk about pejorative statements. This tenant was apparently having a momentary lapse in judgment. (shriek ... laugh hilariously)
A tenant requesting a credit report from a LL is like the congregation expecting a confession from the minister. Completely out of order! As the LL escorted prospective tenant to the door, the LL should have informed her that she is renting from you and not the other way around. Tenants sometime ask how long you have owned the property to negotiate a lower rent. (Doesn't work but worth the try...) If she has concerns about the potential for foreclosure, then be advised that public records are an option and available for view. (Unfortunately, for SCAM artists also.)
These are issues that could have been addressed prior to the rental viewing, so as not to waste LL’s time.