Doing a background check without a Social Security number from a rental can often be done. Is it possible to rent an apartment (from professional landlords) in the USA without providing social security number?A social security number is not mandatory for a credit check. You can order a credit report with a name and address. The good news is that you do not need an SSN on an apartment rental application to screen a prospective tenant. Yes, they need a social security number. This guide helps you confidently handle Arizona rental applications. Create an account with RentSafe and start screening tenants in minutes! Any screening service compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) should be able to pull these reports without a Social Security Number. If the applicant does not have a social security number, you generally can't run a credit report or nationwide criminal check.