Apartments That Accept ITIN Numbers on Applications
Finding an apartment can be a chore for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for new immigrants who may not have some of the requirements potential landlords request. We'll explain if you can rent an apartment with an ITIN number, what you need to rent an apartment, how to get an ITIN, and how Upwardli can help you build your credit history, so renting an apartment is easier!
What you need to rent an apartment in the US
You do not have to be a citizen to rent an apartment in the US. A person of any immigration status, including those who are undocumented, can legally rent an apartment in their own name. Landlords may not legally turn down a rental application based on country of origin, religious status, handicap, familial status, race, gender, or age.
That means you can rent apartments without a Social Security number, as only citizens are eligible for an SSN. These are some of the things landlords will ask for when you apply for an apartment:
Proof of identity like a passport, driver's license, state ID, student or military ID
Proof of employment like pay stubs or an offer letter if you've not started your job yet
A few months of bank statements
Tax returns going back a year or two
References from previous landlords
A credit check
A background check
Not all landlords have the same requirements. Generally, large apartment complexes with professional management will have more and stricter requirements. Small, private landlords may be more flexible with their requirements.
Subletting (taking over the rent from an existing tenant, but the apartment is still in their name), moving in with a roommate who has the lease in their name, or renting an Airbnb long-term will come with even fewer requirements and can all be good options for those who can't meet typical landlord requirements.
Getting an ITIN
Houses for rent with ITIN numbers are not something you'll typically see advertised in the US outside of larger cities with big immigrant communities. But having an ITIN can make the rental process easier and things like opening a bank account and getting a credit card easier too.
Additionally, an ITIN is used to file your taxes when you don't have a Social Security number. All immigrants earning money in the US, either working for an employer or working for themselves, must file taxes. It takes between seven and eleven weeks to receive an ITIN. These are the steps to apply:
Fill out a W-7 application and submit it to the IRS along with a completed tax return
Submit documentation verifying identity and foreign status
If approved, the ITIN will be sent to you via mail
Start building your credit history
Nearly all landlords will do a credit check on potential tenants, even small owners renting out the other side of their duplex. Your credit report shows landlords and potential creditors how you've previously handled your finances.
Do you pay your bills on time? Do you carry high credit card balances? How long have you had credit? Have you defaulted on any accounts and had them sent to collections? Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Have you been evicted?
Those new to the US will have "thin" credit files. They don't have enough of a financial past in the US to have a credit report and credit score. This can make things like renting an apartment, applying for a credit card, and buying a car or a home difficult.
That's where Upwardli comes in! Upwardli was created to help new immigrants build credit and give them a solid foundation for their new life in the US. Get pre-approved instantly with no credit check or deposit required. Each account includes an unsecured line of credit designed to build your credit fast as we report your progress to the credit bureaus.
Get your risk-free 30-day trial now and watch your credit grow!