Do I have to send my ID to rent a home?
Not before you need to, and never a clean copy. Scheduling a tour doesn't require your DNI (Spanish national ID); signing the lease does. When you do send it, cover the data the process doesn't need and mark the copy with the agency's name and the date.
- Published:
- Reviewed:
- Editorial responsibility:
- Ofuska
- Jurisdiction:
- Spain
Why they ask for it
Agencies and landlords may ask for paperwork up front, including ID, payslips and an employment contract. Sometimes this happens before you have viewed the property.
Each application can leave a copy of your ID with people you do not know, even for properties you never view.
The real risk
Fake rental listings may be used to collect identity documents and proof of income. Ask why each document is needed before you send it.
How to send it with Ofuska
- 1
Store
Your DNI encrypted on your phone. You generate a fresh copy for each application instead of re-forwarding the same photo.
- 2
Redact
Cover the signature, support number and date of birth. Leave visible what the landlord needs for the contract: your full name and DNI number.
- 3
Trace
An "Agency X — Calle Mayor rental — date" mosaic. Every application stays in your history: if your ID turns up somewhere else, you'll know which agency leaked it.
Verify Copy can link a PNG or JPEG to a copy stored on this phone if the image still contains the watermark. The app tells you whether it found a current watermark, an older one or none it can verify. PDFs cannot be checked directly.
Safer sharing guide →
Frequently asked questions
- Is it normal to be asked for ID before viewing a property?
- It can happen, but a viewing rarely requires a complete ID copy. Ask which details are needed and, if you decide to send it, hide the rest and mark the copy.
- How do I spot a fake rental listing?
- Below-market price, pressure to pay a deposit fast and requests for full paperwork without showing you the apartment are the classic signs. Never send a clean copy of your ID to a listing you haven't verified.