Renting an apartment with an ITIN in Nashville

What to know first

You may be able to rent an apartment in Nashville using an ITIN, passport, and financial documents instead of a Social Security number. Approval is not automatic. Each apartment community decides what identification and screening information it accepts. If you have questions about how your immigration situation affects renting, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative before you apply. The U.S. Department of Justice publishes a list of pro bono legal service providers for people in immigration court proceedings.

What is an ITIN?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is a nine-digit tax-processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service to certain people who need a federal taxpayer identification number but are not eligible for a Social Security number.

An ITIN is used for federal tax purposes. It does not provide immigration status, employment authorization, or eligibility for Social Security benefits. That distinction matters when renting. An apartment may accept an ITIN as part of an application, but the number itself does not guarantee approval.

Can a landlord accept an ITIN?

Some landlords and apartment communities accept an ITIN when processing an application. Others use screening systems that require a Social Security number.

Ask before applying:

• Do you accept an ITIN?
• Can you screen applicants without a Social Security number?
• Can you use my passport for identification?
• What can I provide instead of a U.S. credit report?
• Will you accept bank statements or an employment letter?
• Is a guarantor required?

Never assume that an apartment accepts an ITIN simply because an online application allows you to enter one.

Fair housing: under the federal Fair Housing Act a landlord may not refuse to rent to you, charge you more, or set different terms because of your national origin — where you or your family come from, your ancestry, your accent, or the language you speak. A landlord may still apply the same identification, income and screening rules to every applicant. If you believe you were treated differently because of where you are from, you can file a complaint with HUD at hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint.

Documents that may help

An applicant without a Social Security number or established credit may be asked to provide:

• Passport
• ITIN documentation
• Visa or immigration documents
• Form I-94
• Employment offer letter
• Pay statements
• Bank statements
• Previous rental references
• University enrollment documents
• Guarantor information

The goal is to show three things clearly: who you are, where your income comes from, and how the rent will be paid.

What happens when you have no U.S. credit?

A new arrival may have no American credit report at all. That does not mean the person has poor credit. The property may use other information to evaluate the application, including:

• Monthly income
• Cash reserves
• Employment stability
• Rental history
• Guarantor qualifications
• International financial records

Some properties may request an additional deposit where allowed. Others may decline applicants when their screening system cannot verify enough information. This is why speaking with the leasing office before submitting the application matters.

How to begin building credit

Opening a bank account does not automatically create a credit score. Debit-card use also generally does not build traditional credit.

Common starting options may include:

• A secured credit card
• A credit-builder loan
• Becoming an authorized user on a responsibly managed account
• A beginner credit card for qualified applicants

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends paying credit accounts on time and, when using a credit card, paying the balance in full each month when possible. Do not pay a company that promises to create or repair credit immediately. Building legitimate credit takes consistent reporting and on-time payments.

How to apply for an ITIN

Apply with IRS Form W-7, usually attached to a federal tax return, by mail, through an IRS Acceptance Agent or Certifying Acceptance Agent, or by appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (844-545-5640). You must provide documentation establishing identity and foreign status. An ITIN does not serve as identification outside the federal tax system.

Do not apply for an ITIN only because an apartment requests a tax number. First determine whether you are eligible and whether you have a federal tax reason for applying.

Frequently asked questions

Bottom line

An ITIN can be useful, but it is only one part of a rental application. Your strongest application will combine valid identification with proof of income, savings, employment, enrollment, or rental history. Contact the leasing office before paying an application fee and confirm exactly how it handles applicants without Social Security numbers or U.S. credit.

Related guides: moving from another country, renting with no credit, documents you need, and income requirements.