Giving my social security number out? is a privicy policy REQUIRED when asking for a ss#?

where i live, our complex has been sold. ive been here since 2001, and at that time we had paid $120 for back ground checks.
ive gotten a letter today, well, more like a photocoppied generic survey requesting general info such as my car and tag#, animals and rabies shots ect.
they have also asked me for my social secuirty number, SHOULD I NOT BE PROVIDED A PRIVICY POLICY, hipa documents or something?
IM MEAN LEGALLY. NO SMARTAS* ANSWERS PLEASE...
seriously, is there a law or something that requires one of these privacy policies to be furnished while requesting this info?
follow up, DO I REALLY NEED TO PAY FOR ANOTHER BACKGROUND CHECK? why didnt they purchase the files as well???
THANKS NO SMARTAS& ANSWERS PLEASE

You do need a Privacy Policy Statement from the new owners explaining how they plan to use any or all the information you provide them. Still, there are State and Federal laws governing the use of a person's private information, so the new landlord must abide by them or will pay the consequences of neglect.

You do not mention in which State you live, but I believe you don't have to pay for new background checks because you already live there, you are not a new resident moving in.

Something smells fishy there. By the way, $120.00 for a background check???? Well, that is outrageous!!. I wonder who's ripping off the landlords or if they are paying taxes in the profits earned on those background checks.

It seems a little odd.
But perhaps the previous owner didn't give them the files.
I would fill out everything but the ssn, date of birth and other personal info, and if they ask you, tell them that you wanted to be sure that this wasn't some type of "phishing" scam to get your personal info.

Oh my gosh! Do people really ask all that just to rent an apt???? I would NOT ever give anyone my SS#...when it has nothing to do with taxes or employment. And I don't think YOU should have to pay for a background check.....unless you want to do one on them!

Social security administration says this: You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask:

Why your number is needed;
How your number will be used;
What happens if you refuse; and
What law requires you to give your number.
The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours

The IRS for example uses it, and tells you what it will be used for, so it's fairly safe to give it to them. But even there, you can refuse.

As to the background check, a lot can change in 6 years, and they are probably smart to update the files. If they ask everyone to pay and make it a requirement to stay there, then I guess yes, your choices are to pay for it again, or move.