Aviator

No reason why a landlord would have DOB, DL number or passport number. Cannot insist on a SIN either. How many tenants give alternate addresses? References are past contacts, usually tenancies, doubtful they will have future contact info.

Someone who does not want to be found will be hard to find by most folks.

If someone skips or causes major damage you are pretty much SOL. Even if one does sue them, this is only any good if they have assets or the means to pay a successful judgement. If these folks are not British and skipped one country, nothing to say the OP could end up trying to chase them around the globe!

Pulaski

What sort of information do landlords collect on the application form if it does not include DoB and some sort of government ID number?

They do require an application form to be completed, don't they?

Aviator

Some do, some don't. Personal information is governed by privacy laws, what can be asked for and what can be done with it. Little chance of tracking someone down with DL or passport number, unless it is the police or security services.

Asking for some information can also get a landlord into a shit load of bother if you turn someone down, such as DOB can get you accused of age discrimination. Many won't give it anyway. Pretty much all you;ll get is name address, phone, tenancy history and security deposit.

Pulaski

Agreed, but without some specific identifying data, such as DoB and some sort of ID number there is pretty much NO chance of suing someone in court, whether small claims or any other, because you will be unable to prove who it is you are even trying to sue!

"It was 'im, he didn't pay 'is rent!

"It wasn't me, I've never rented an 'ouse from 'im, I've never even seen 'im!

CASE DISMISSED!



Incidentally, I would suggest that collecting such identifying data from an applicant will reduce the chsnce if them trying to do a runner in the first place!

BristolUK

I would suggest that the sort of person who will do a runner won't be the least bit bothered and will give you as much false or useless information as he or she wants.

BritInParis

I've gleamed from this thread that renting an apartment in Canada is a hell of lot cheaper and easier than any other country I've lived in.

Tirytory

I had a tenant once who skipped out on paying council tax.. Didn't affect me but he had the two commonest names you could think of for forename and surname in Wales and left a false forwarding address or at least moved on very quickly from there. He also appeared to leave his job too. Not sure if they ever recovered their money. I use an agency to vet my tenants and they check employment and references and run a financial check. If they collect any of the above it certainly doesn't get passed on to me. Note this chap was checked over too but I guess there's always a first time.

Even if you had a passport number/national insurance number there is surely nothing legal that could be used to obtain whereabouts by a member of the public..

scrubbedexpat091

Landlords can ask to see a perspective tenants ID to establish identity, however as said they can't record it or otherwise make a copy of it.


Generally with private landlords, I just had to provide my name, show my ID which is allowed, 1 previous landlord, and 1 reference.

I have also had landlords that just don't care and if you have the money you get the keys right then and there.




I did have to break a lease once in the US due to being laid off from the airline and no way to pay rent, they did file a lawsuit but it was filed too late.

Pulaski

Well you need to verify it otherwise collecting it is pretty pointless!

The name and DoB matches the DL or Passport (assuming it is unlikely that good forgeries are being used merely to rent a house - sure, it is possible but bit excessive). And then taking up an employment reference would verify the name, unless the prospective tenant had also given the employer a flase name. ...... And all bits of data need to match when a credit check is done anyway. ..... I wouldn't worry if there is an inconsistency, I'd just discard the application and move on to the next one.

If the responses I'm getting from you lot are consistent with what the OP was doing, I am only surprised that the OP lost one month's rent, because if that lax approach is typical for Canadian landlords, I would imagine that ripping off your landlord is a national passtime in Canada!

Siouxie

The Credit Check | CMHC

Reference and Other Checks

Beyond the basic credit report, a landlord can determine your suitability as a tenant in other ways. Some landlords will validate all your references and run a thorough check into your rental history.

After checking your financial suitability, landlords will want to know what kind of tenant you are. Most often, they will ask former landlords about your character as well as your past rent payment patterns. While some people will check only with your last landlord, others will also check with your past two or three landlords.

In some provinces, rent registries and landlord advocacy groups compile information about delinquent tenants. This information is easily accessible to landlords. Information about past illegal activities may also show up during a landlord's check.

Stinkypup

[[/B]

I suggested assassination of the culprit- not tough enough for you?!

scrubbedexpat091

Credit checks don't seem to be all that common in BC, I've never had a landlord do one anyhow in the time I've been here.

Pollyana

Darned sight easier than Australia, where estate agents renting out properties are allowed to have copies of passports, driving licences, visas (to prove one is legally in the country) and verify details with employers on many occasions, and almost always with previous landlords & renatl agencies! Don't stump up the paperwork, you don't get the property.

BritInParis

The UK is just the same now, especially on the immigration front.

not2old

I suppose compared to other countries

What documents do landlords ask for? | Basics | Information Newcomers Can Trust | Settlement.Org