[gregcrv]

In the US you still have to provide the same amount of paper work for large loans like mortgages or for renting an apartment even though they already have all the information they need.

[ubermonkey]

I wouldn't compare the paperwork involved in a mortgage to the fairly simple rental applications I've seen.

[pas]

Hm, here (Hungary) landlords just ask for a deposit (usually ~2 month in advance), no credit is involved.