Reference form requests social security number?

I sent an email to the estate agent but getting her to answer questions is like pulling teeth, so I ask here.

Our reference form requests "National Ins./Social Security No:" Is there such thing in the U.K. as social security number or are they asking for the U.S. version?

Thanks in advance for the help!

What used to be called "social security" in the UK is now called "benefits" so that is probably for people claiming benefits to fill in their benefit number.

As for your National Insurance number, there is no reason whatsoever an estate agent or letting agent would need this.  Our previous letting agent asked for ours and we declined to give them and it caused no problem.

I agree.  My last credit checked asked for this and I also refused, with no problem.

Vicky

This wouldn't have been an issue for me, re: Nat Ins number since I don't have one, but requestion a SSN in the U.S. is such standard practice it wouldn't have occured to me to refuse to provide it! I'm such a sheeple!.

Thanks for letting me know it's not the same here.

God, I hate these stupid forms. We're already paying six months of rent upfront, do they really need to run a full reference check too? Gah!