Letting agent wants my NI number

DRP

Perhaps give your NI number +1 instead? Or are they asking for proof?

jenny54321

they need to to fraud checks and credit checks not sure why they need Ni number unless its to check who you are ?

eddddy

DRP wrote: »

Perhaps give your NI number +1 instead? Or are they asking for proof?

... although if you do that, and later 'do a runner' without paying what you owe - you might be suspected of criminal deception.

i.e. Purposely giving a false NI number because you were planning not to pay what you owe, and you wanted to make yourself harder to trace.

martindow

Can an individual check NI numbers? I might be inclined to give a number with a digit or letter changed. They will probably be happy once the box in their form is completed.

chanz4

company's cant check ni's , they can verify passport numbers about it.

Summer-Sunshine_2

I thought a passport would be enough? My mate rents places and NEVER needed NI

specialboy

Make one up, they can't check.

bouicca21

My dd had her purse stolen several years ago. No fraud attempted on credit and debit cards - but her NI number was used for an extensive benefit fraud. I'd be wary of giving an NI number out to someone who does not really need it.

whalster

It is as said above to help in tracking down if things go wrong ,most credit checking involves affordability eg wage slips which will have your NI number on ,combined with your passport this is pretty good at proving you are who you say you are .
An NI number combined with passport and visa which we soon will be obliged to check will check you are entitled to stay and/or work .
If for whatever reason you do not pay rent or leave in the fixed term owing months and months worth of future rent then through the courts officials you can be tracked to future employers and have an attachment to earnings placed upon you.

jjlandlord

Checking NI numbers will not be required regarding new statutory checks that tenant has a right to reside in the UK.
In fact it is not even on the list on acceptable documents for compliance.

Why?

Because having an NI number has nothing to do with having a current, valid right to reside, or work, in the UK.

I think NI numbers are mainly useful in ensuring the ID of a person when sending an attachment of earnings to their employer.

- Here is an attachment of earning order concerning Mr John Smith.
- How do we know it's the one who works here, plus we have two John Smith?
- Here is his NI number.

There might be additional uses when trying to track someone down.