Should I share my Aadhaar with a landlord or broker for the rent agreement?
Share ID only after you have seen the flat, met the owner and agreed the deal – not with every listing you enquire about. When you do, prefer a masked Aadhaar or another ID like a voter ID or driving licence, give it in person or for the agreement, and write "for rent agreement only" with the date across any copy.
Fake listings collect Aadhaar photos from dozens of enquirers and use them for SIM cards, loans and fake profiles. A genuine landlord needs your ID once, for the agreement and police verification – not before you have even visited.
What to do
- Do not send ID photos to anyone before you have seen the flat and met the owner.
- Offer a masked Aadhaar, voter ID or driving licence instead of a full Aadhaar.
- Write the purpose and date across the copy before sharing it.
- Share it in person or at the time of signing, not in a WhatsApp chat with a stranger.
- If you already shared it with a listing that turned out fake, watch for SMS alerts about new SIMs or loans in your name.
Frequently asked questions
- The landlord wants my Aadhaar before the visit, 'for security'. Is that normal?
- No. There is nothing to secure before a visit. It is either a lazy habit or a scam collecting documents.
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