Why does my landlords referencing agency want my NIN?

cheekykid

I am not comfortable providing my National Insurance Number (NIN) to random companies as I consider it a significant invasion of privacy. Given how frequently data breaches occur, I do not feel safe handing over such sensitive information.

What exactly can be accessed using my NIN? Specifically: can they see whether I am currently employed or unemployed? Can they view my income as reported to HMRC? or what other information can they access?

I would prefer to make an informed decision before disclosing this private information, so I would appreciate clear answers about exactly what data can be accessed and how it will be used.

EnPointe

you have ot prove your right to rent ,

Having a NINo tends to indicate that you are someone who can legally reside and work in the UK

_Penny_Dreadful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657435/why-does-my-landlords-referencing-agency-want-my-nin

The landlord is wanting to check you are who you say you are, and that you can afford to rent the property. Sometimes you'll be asked to provide proof of income e.g. payslips which will have you NIN on them or the referencing agency can use your NIN to carry out direct payroll checks with HMRC or your employer.

Ayr_Rage

If you don't want to provide details that can prove your identity that's up to you but it will certainly limit your choice of rental properties, if you can find anyone who will rent to you at all.

LightFlare

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657435/why-does-my-landlords-referencing-agency-want-my-nin

your post seems to be rather at odds with itself.

you don’t want to provide sensitive information for fear or privacy violation and possible data breach but then also aren’t aware of what can be accessed/done with it

As above - you can provide or not, but then they can rent to you or not

gazfocus

Tenant referencing companies can now use your national insurance number to get information from HMRC via an API which allows them to confirm income from PAYE submissions received at HMRC and benefits, etc. If you are self employed, they won't be able to do so.

I personally don't like open banking let alone giving someone access to my hmrc records but it's the way the world is going unfortunately. I was reading up on tenant referencing companies a few weeks ago and according to the company that supplies the software to check the above, there are quite a lot of cases where tenants have gained rental properties by forging payslips etc so they're trying to overcome that potential issue.

Thinking logically though, if rents weren't outpacing wage increases, there would be no need for people to try and game the system but at least where I'm from rents for 4 bed houses are approaching 100% of a single persons full time wage (at minimum wage) and the 3 bed houses aren't that far behind.

theartfullodger

Entirely your choice to not provide you NIN. Entirely letting agent/landlord to decide what they require before renting to you.

There will be no tenancy unless you BOTH AGREE.

cheekykid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81904388#Comment_81904388

I wouldn’t put it quite like that. No matter what access they claim to have, I’m still uneasy about sharing so much personal information in an era of constant data breaches.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81907930#Comment_81907930

But then how would you verify a self-employed person's income? Especially if they refuse open banking. I think—correct me if I'm wrong—that with their National Insurance Number, they can check tax submissions directly through HMRC so if you declare 80k a year and they see 20k, you are done.

_Penny_Dreadful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81908387#Comment_81908387

Request their SA302 or, if possible, use the NIN to get that information directly from HMRC.

monkey-fingers

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81908387#Comment_81908387

They can't. But because most people are PAYE, then they can see.

General_Grant

I read this thread earlier today and just now I have seen an article on my news feed which is said to be a Mirror article which says

GOV.UK cautions: "To prevent identity fraud, do not share your National Insurance number with anyone who does not need it."

The following organisations may require your number:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Your employer
• The Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service), for state benefits claimants, or in Northern Ireland, the Department for Social Development
• Your local authority, for Housing Benefit claims, or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Electoral Registration Officers (for identity confirmation during voter registration)
• The Student Loans Company, should you be applying for a student loan
• Your pension provider, if you possess a personal or stakeholder pension
• Your Individual Savings Account (ISA) provider, in case you're initiating an ISA
• Authorised financial service providers who aid in the purchase and sale of investments such as shares, bonds and derivatives - you can confirm if your provider is authorised
• Veterans UK

I note that letting agencies do not appear in the list but I'm pretty sure various banks have asked for my NINO even when I've opened an account which isn't an ISA. I thought they would use it to report to HMRC the interest paid to me.