Can he ask for those details?

[lourules]

We are a couple about to private rent at the end of feb and the bloke who we are renting off has asked for our bank details, addresses, DOB and national insurance numbers - is he allowed to ask for this and should we give them out? im a little dubious since its a private rentor and not through an agency? He hasnt charged us a deposit so i cant see why its going to be a problem giving him the details?

[TonyV]

Guess he is only making sure you are genuine - would you have a problem giving those details to a letting agency?

[lourules]

no i wouldnt

[jno]

what protection would he have if you wrecked the property and vanished overnight?

[lourules]

yeah thats what i thought i just wondered if he could use those details at all?

[bednobs]

what protection would he have even if he asked for those details jno?

[TonyV]

Lourules - this your first rent?

[lourules]

no second but first rent with a private landlord

[Maydup]

I'd best with him and ask him why he wants it since its such a lot of personal data. (Realistically, what use i it to him? IF you did a runner none of this would help him)

Instead coud you offer employers details and references?

[askyourgran]

I wouldn't give anyone my bank details or my National Insurance number, and why would he want to know how old you are? He could be cloning your identity for all you know. If he insists I would look elsewhere. Usually they ask for a bond or a months rent in advance, not personal information.

[Maydup]

^^ ooops

I'd be honest with him......

[lourules]

Maid Up good idea!

[ojread2]

I see no reasons for him to know your NI number and I would be very wary of why - ask him
If this was a letting agent then I still would want to know why they want to know my NI number

Why would anyone other than an employer either want or need your NI number?

[jno]

dunno, bednobs, that's why I asked. Usually deposits provide that sort of protection, and I was wondering why he didn't want one.

[lourules]

he said we seemed trustworthy people so he didnt want one

[muff13]

Is is because he is wanting to run a credit check on you as he would need all these details for that. However, he should not run a credit check without your knowledge and agreement.

[boxtops]

I certainly wouldn't give it to him. Not relevant to a tenant - if he were the landlord it might be a different story. You might give him your bank details if the rent were to be paid straight into an account, but he doesn't need your NI number - he's not employing you or checking your tax affairs

[bednobs]

he is the landlord isn't he?

[joko]

its not worth the risk if you are worrying...
tell him you would rather he accepted a deposit...

as he is the landlord, its not just like a random stranger having details...he has access to your home...your mail, your private papers etc if he wanted to...

im sure he wouldnt but best not have that 'feeling' that he might

it certainly seems odd... you dont want him to start claiming damages that havent happened etc ...and imagine if you fell out and left... you would have to change all those things...

[boxtops]

Sorry, I misread, I thought you were private letting out, but you're the tenants.

I can understand him wanting your bank details then, for security, that's not unusual.

[ojread2]

Credit check or not, there is no reasonn to give an NI number