Letting agent wants my NI number

Annie1960

usefulmale wrote: »

They said it was for 'tax purposes'. They either couldn't or wouldn't elaborate any further.

The only organisations that have my NI number are employers and ISA providers. I can't recall being asked for it by anyone else.

usefulmale

jjlandlord wrote: »

Not necessarily, as explained in this thread.

The landlord might have dodge a bullet, considering your reaction... What would have happened the day the boiler breaks down?

I'm not sure I understand your question. What does the letting agency having my NI number have anything to do with a boiler breakdown?

anselld

usefulmale wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand your question. What does the letting agency having my NI number have anything to do with a boiler breakdown?

ie any T who wants to report LA to ICO for merely requesting NI number will no doubt create merry hell if they don't get their boiler fixed 5 minutes after reporting.

45002

G_M wrote: »

Helps with ID verification.

Plus the 'is this person allowed to live/work in the UK' checks.

NINO is not proof of identity

http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN04281.pdf

Marktheshark

theartfullodger wrote: »

So a landlord can more easily get an ex-tenant traced later... or confirm to an employer (under attachment of earnings.) that one has the right person...

Or fill in a false claim for housing benefit in the tenants name and pocket it.

jjlandlord

Marktheshark wrote: »

Or fill in a false claim for housing benefit in the tenants name and pocket it.

Nah, they are usually just into the human organs trade. Don't go over the top and scare people.

Marktheshark

jjlandlord wrote: »

Nah, they are usually just into the human organs trade. Don't go over the top and scare people.

Ok lets do an easy test

Driving licence.
Passport
address
landlords address
copy of bank statement with account numbers
NI number

Now pick the one that is crucial to a housing benefit claim where a dodgy landlord could pocket housing benefit.
Not as if we see Dodgy landlords/ letting agents in court often is it ?

Unless they are paying someone's national insurance account, then they dont need it.
There is a host of frauds that could be obtained by that one crucial unlocking number.

usefulmale

anselld wrote: »

ie any T who wants to report LA to ICO for merely requesting NI number will no doubt create merry hell if they don't get their boiler fixed 5 minutes after reporting.

Well, if your NI number is not important, have you the guts to give it out here?

mchale

specialboy wrote: »

Make one up, they can't check.

As a LL I always sight original docs

Pixie5740

Is this still rumbling on?

Landlords and letting agents can ask for whatever documents they like. Potential tenants have the choice to provide the documents or not. Simple.

Artful and jj have already explained why a LL would want to have the NINO and it had nothing to do with housing benefit fraud.

Given the documents tenants provide it would be quite possible for a LL to open a bank account or credit card or mobile phone contract in the tenant's name so why just fixate on fraudulent housing benefit claims?

I agree that a T kicking up this much fuss about proving a NINO would probably be a PITA tenant. Renting isn't black & white, sometimes you just need to pick your battles.