Is it possible to rent an apartment (from professional landlords) in the USA without providing social security number? Doing a background check without a Social Security number from a rental can often be done.A typical background check only requires an individual's name and other information, while a credit check involves an SSN check. To rent an apartment in Virginia, you'll need a valid ID, proof of income, references, and sometimes a credit check consent. The good news is that you do not need an SSN on an apartment rental application to screen a prospective tenant. If the applicant does not have a social security number, you generally can't run a credit report or nationwide criminal check. A social security number is not mandatory for a credit check. You can order a credit report with a name and address. A social security number is not mandatory for a credit check. You can order a credit report with a name and address.