Sarah, a property manager in Vancouver, is reviewing a prospective tenant's application for a one-bedroom apartment. The applicant provided a social insurance number (SIN) as identification. What should Sarah do regarding the SIN?

Question: Sarah, a property manager in Vancouver, is reviewing a prospective tenant's application for a one-bedroom apartment. The applicant provided a social insurance number (SIN) as identification. What should Sarah do regarding the SIN?

Answer options:

• Record the SIN for tenant screening and record-keeping purposes. ✅ Request alternative identification as a SIN cannot be collected for tenancy applications.
• Store the SIN securely but only use it if the tenant defaults on rent.
• Inform the applicant that providing a SIN is optional but recommended for credit checks.

Correct answer: Request alternative identification as a SIN cannot be collected for tenancy applications.

Explanation: Under privacy legislation such as the BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), a SIN is highly sensitive information and generally cannot be collected in the residential tenancy application process as it is not reasonably necessary.