He asked for a photocopy/scan of my student ID. Do other landlords also do this? Thanks

It's not normal, but it's not absurd... These are typically "student houses." It (somewhat) proves you're a student.
Would you rather them ask for your T2202 or the real paper from the Office of the Registrar?

The prices for these rooms are really cheap compared to any apartment you could get downtown. Perfect area for drug dealers/"sketchy" people.

My last two landlords didn't.

The one from the house I'm about to rent just asked for some form of ID and that just a student number works too. He also asked for emergency contact info. I didn't really question it...

Some probably do, but that doesn't mean its a good idea to let him have it. You generally shouldn't allow people to have a scan / photocopy of your student ID unless they're a legitimate government agency and/or work for McMaster (and thus are subject to various privacy laws). The knowledge of your student number plus a little bit of information about you is more than enough for someone to get various private personal information about you from the school. Unless you trust your landlord to the point you think they'd never ever do anything nefarious to you, you should not allow them to have a copy of your student id.

If it's to prove you're a student you can always put a piece of paper over the student number and photocopy it. It's not like he actually needs the student number to check that you're a student. Just tell him you aren't comfortable giving out the actual number.

You can definitely blurred out the important numbers.

Hamilton Student Housing also require proof of Student.

Evidence of being a full-time student. Any two of the following is acceptable:

• Current ID card from school
• Statement from the registrar
• Notification of acceptance for the following year

http://www.hamilton.ca/HealthandSoci...cationInfo.htm

Naw, it ain't normal brah...