I agree with using caution and making sure the agent is above board. My point was do not dismiss it on what he is asking for in terms of information like a few posters on here were suggesting.

This sounds to me like someone sub-letting something they perhaps shouldn't be/aren't allowed to?

Three major red flags that should not be asked for, SIN Number, Drivers Licence number and Date of Birth. None of those items are information a landlord or agent should want or need.

Add to those a so called agent who will not willingly give anything other than his first name, a phone number (likely a Cell) and a GMail email address this deal stinks big time.

Id simply ask you when you last rented in Calgary. Unfortunately the market moves so quickly that refusing to give out this info (and the big rental companies like Boardwalk and Mainstreet ask certainly for all three) is absolutely fine. But it lowers your chances of getting an apartment. Age - a lot of buildings dont want to rent to under 25's because that increases the risk of deliquent tenancies and damaged property. Driving License - photo proof of who you are. SIN - credit check is easier plus if you run away easier to track you.

And, depending on your personal attitude to risk exposure, you'd presumably have no problem passing on those three pieces of information to a "big rental company" such as those you mention. But the OP is being asked to hand over valuable personal information to somebody who appears not to have any recognizable credentials of their own. Doing so would, IMHO, be an act of considerable folly more likely to result in ID theft than taking possession of a lovely apartment.

When I last rented is immaterial see Oakvillians reply, he is echoing my sentiments.

Erm well actually if you bothered to look at my first post I agreed to use caution to make sure the agent was real. I was simply cautioning against those (like you) who with seemingly no knowledge of the current rental market are advising you should never provide sin, driving license and age - when all those are required by the majority of landlords both small and large here. You are obviously unaware of that. Perhaps because you havent rented here recently. Maybe you not renting here recently is material........

To the OP - I would suggest getting some proper advice. There is a landlord and tenancy advice centre on McLoud near the Holliday Inn opposite Hooters. Drop in there or call them, they will be far more knowledgeable about the current market conditions and will also give you advice about what information to request from any landlord or agent. Renting in Calgary is hard at the moment, huge demand and not enough supply of smaller properties.

Not sure how long you've been here but you seem to be unaware of certain facts regarding SIN. So read this: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/s.../provide.shtml

As for Drivers license information I see your point as far as photo ID goes, but putting you DL number on an application form does not provide picture ID, so what is it for?

I still disagree with asking for age but if you or someone else feels comfortable with this then go for it.

My main objection to this is the shadyness of the so called agent plus the information requested, my suspicions are as stated previously, this info would be ideal for identity theft.

A legitimate rental agency I would still have problems with SIN and DL info in on application form.

Oh jeez if Id have known you were one of those types who just has to continue trying to prove himself correct even though he admits he hasnt been in the situation I really wouldnt have bothered.
But I will do so for one good reason: PEOPLE LIKE YOU MADE MY FIRST FEW WEEKS HERE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT BY GIVING INFORMATION THAT WHILST TECHNICALLY CORRECT DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

So I am simply trying to help a poster who is in the same situation I was in. Your information simply makes a newcomer overly fearful when agencies do ask for the info and then it will take them longer to actually find a property to rent. Is that clear enough for you?

1. SIN Yes, service Canada advise not to give SIN out. However when the vast majority of private landlords and all landlord companies require this - refusing to give it, whilst your right - will not get you a property.
2. Driving License - I was asked for a photocopy of this as proof of identity. Not to put the number on the form. However Boardwalks form ask for the number and permission to get a copy of the current license information from the registry. I assume others may do as well.
3. Age - many apartment blocks in Calgary state they do not take anyone under 21. Some put this restriction at 25. Again you can refuse to state your age, however if you actually want to get into a property Id suggest this may not be helpful.

This forum is fantastic for people who move abroad, however giving information that is contary to what the newcomer will find when they arrive is just not helpful. How can you not see that?

As has been reiterated before many times I agree completely to get more information from the landlord or agent before passing over any information.

More so contact the tenancy information centre, they will tell you the situation on the ground and give you proper advise. They are free.

LOL Pot Kettle.

You're sounding more and more like a shill for the rental agent, your name wouldn't be Jacky would it?


PLONK!!!!

Hi again,

Thank you very much for all the replies.

Just an update.
Finally we did not sign any contract because the guy was telling us that it would take a few days, but could not give us any date, and we didnt want to wait anymore.
Probably it wasn't a scam, just a very unprofessional "agent". Since this is a landlord market, they don't really care.

Apparently asking for SIN normal and driving license is something very usual, although you don't have to provide with this information if you dont want.

okay, the other 3 people i asked, who've just moved to Calgary...2 from the UK and one from Manitoba, also got rentals quickly and had refused to give this information

i'd suggest it's more than luck