Subject: Please Consider a “Data-Minimal Tenant Screening” Ordinance
Dear Councilmember <Last Name>,
I’m a resident of <Neighborhood / District>. In the past year, every rental application I submitted asked for documents like W-2s, full bank statements, and unredacted Social-Security numbers—far more information than is needed to judge whether I can pay rent. Each extra data point is another opportunity for identity theft or an accidental breach.
Cities such as Seattle and Minneapolis already limit over-collection, and California’s AB 2559 lets applicants reuse a recent credit report instead of handing out their SSN over and over. We need to consider adopting local ordinances based on these proven policies that would:
Limit screening data to current income proof and a recent credit report.
Require secure storage and prompt deletion of any sensitive documents.
Prohibit application fees when the applicant provides an acceptable report.
Could we meet for a brief (15- to 20-minute) conversation next month to discuss sponsoring a similar measure here? I would also appreciate the chance to speak during the next housing-committee public-comment period.
Thank you for your attention to renter privacy and data security. I look forward to working together to keep our community’s personal information out of the wrong hands.
Sincerely,
<Your Name>
<Street or Neighborhood, City, ZIP>
Phone: <###-###-####>
Email: <you@example.com>