Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Re: tenants rights

No one in a commercial setting has the right to request a social security card, the last I heard, and I am aware of no need or right for a landlord to have a copy of your birth certificate. Employers have an obligation to collect proof of citizenship, which include these documents, so you should have them -- but tell the landlord "show me the statute that allows or requires you to collect these."

Re: tenants rights

There is no legal right for a landlord to seek a copy of a birth certificate. A social security number may be needed for him to do a credit check on you, which is the only reason he can ask for it. You are not obligated to give him your social security number and more importantly, the landlord should understand his liability for releasing such information if your identity is stolen.

Good Luck