Question: We require that the application for residency in our manufactured housing community be completely filled out - including Social Security numbers. We require two pieces of identification - one may be a social security card. However, my understanding is that you cannot use a social security card for identification. Is that true?
We have had some real estate brokers object and tell us that it is against law do deny a person occupancy because they do not have a social security number. Some applicants have an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number).
The screening company has said they cannot do a credit check with ITIN - they need a social security number.
So, my questions are: (a) Is it illegal to requirea social security number; and (b) would it be a violation of the Fair Housing Laws to deny an applicant because they do not have a social security number?