Can I rent an apartment with no credit or bad credit?

Your chances of getting approved for an apartment rental or home rental are best if your credit scores are at least 600, but standards vary by landlord. A “good” credit score usually starts between 661 and 670, depending on the scoring model.

Every landlord has their own threshold for minimum credit scores to rent an apartment, but generally people with higher credit scores have better chances of approval. And credit is just one factor that landlords may evaluate.

Landlords often also consider your income, criminal background, employment history and other debts when making a rental decision. You may be able to improve your odds by putting down a larger security deposit, providing references or applying with a co-signer or roommate. Smaller landlords may be more open to negotiating. It’s also typically easier to get approved to rent an apartment versus a house.

If you’re wondering where you stand, you can check your VantageScore 3.0 scores from TransUnion and Equifax for free with Credit Karma.

• Can you rent an apartment with no credit or bad credit?
• What’s the minimum credit score to rent an apartment?
• How to rent an apartment with no credit or bad credit
• What’s next: How can I start building credit?
• FAQs about renting with no credit or bad credit

Can you rent an apartment with no credit or bad credit?

You may be able to rent an apartment with no credit or bad credit, provided that you find a landlord willing to consider other factors in your application.

You may need to look longer or be prepared to strengthen your application in other areas, such as earning a higher income or placing a larger security deposit on your rental. Not all landlords are open to negotiating, but some are, especially if they’re a smaller operation.

Can you rent an apartment if you have no credit history at all?

Nearly 3% of U.S. adults lack a credit file entirely, and 10% have a “thin” credit file with limited data that doesn’t generate a credit score, according to a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

But you still may be able to rent an apartment even if you have no credit score, depending on the landlord’s preferences and your circumstances. Be prepared to provide positive references or make a larger security deposit. 

You may need to apply with a co-signer or a roommate who has an established credit history. You might also have better odds applying with a smaller landlord, compared to a larger corporate property management company.

Is renting with bad credit different from renting with none?

Whether you have bad credit or no credit, the end result is often the same: You might not meet the landlord’s minimum credit requirements to rent an apartment. If you are approved, you may need to put down a larger security deposit.

That said, it’s possible to start building credit within just a few months. Rebuilding your credit to improve a low score can be harder and take years, in some cases. A late payment on your credit reports can remain for seven years, though its impact will decrease over time.

What’s the minimum credit score to rent an apartment?

The minimum credit score to rent an apartment varies, but in general, it’s best to aim for a credit score of 600 or better.

Some landlords may set higher requirements and some lower, depending on factors such as local market conditions, the type of unit you’re applying for, your income level and more. It’s often easier to get approved for an apartment versus renting a house, for example.

Some cities have established policies that landlords can’t require a hard credit score cut-off when reviewing potential tenants’ applications.

What credit score model do landlords use?

Two common credit-scoring model landlords may use are FICO® Score 8 and VantageScore. If you’re wondering which credit score model and credit report your landlord uses, it’s best to ask them in advance.

How to rent an apartment with no credit or bad credit

You may still have options if you don’t meet a minimum credit score to rent an apartment, but you’ll likely have to compensate in other financial areas. 

Check your credit scores and reports

Check your credit reports and credit scores at least a few months before you plan to apply for a rental. You can review each of your three credit reports from the major credit bureaus on AnnualCreditReport.com, a government-sanctioned website that offers free weekly access. Make sure to check your reports for accuracy and dispute any errors you find.

Credit Karma also provides free credit reports from TransUnion and Equifax, as well as VantageScore 3.0 scores from those credit bureaus.

Be upfront about credit issues

Be honest with your potential landlord if you have credit challenges and explain the steps you’re taking to resolve them. They may be more understanding, especially if they’re a smaller rental company.

Consider alternative credit reporting

Historically, only debts were listed on your credit report, but it’s become more common for credit reports to contain other ongoing payments, such as bills and prior rental history 

For example, Credit Karma’s Credit Spark free bill reporting tool lets you report up to five eligible billing accounts to TransUnion. You can also potentially up to 18 months of past payments (or more in some cases). Most people see eligible bills added as new accounts on their TransUnion report within seven days.

Get written references

Gathering written references from reputable acquaintances and former landlords can be especially helpful to submit to future landlords with your rental application. Consider printing out proof of on-time payment history with other bills, too, like electricity or your cell phone.

Consider different neighborhoods, rental units and landlord types

Sometimes, it pays off to cast a wider net. Apartments may be easier to get approved for than a house. Smaller landlords may be more accommodating to bad credit than larger apartment units owned and managed by corporations.

Get a co-signer or roommate

Some landlords accept co-signers on an apartment, similar to a loan. You’ll need to find someone with strong credit and who is comfortable being responsible for the financial consequences if you don’t pay your rent on time. Alternatively, you can try finding a roommate with better credit and apply as joint tenants.

Pay more upfront

Often, landlords will require a higher security deposit if your credit doesn’t meet their standards. But you can also offer a higher security deposit or even to prepay a few months’ rent as a negotiating tool.

What’s next: How can I start building credit?

To start building credit, begin by establishing some financial accounts in your name and using them to build positive payment history: a track record of paying your bills on time.

You can also build payment history by paying any existing student loans or auto loans as promised, becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s credit card, opening a credit-builder loan, or signing up for a plan that reports certain bill payments to a credit bureau.

Before you get started, a good first step is to check with the three main credit bureaus to see if you have credit reports yet. Even if you’ve never had a credit card, you might already have a credit report with at least one of the main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.

Once you start building your credit, continue make payments on time every time and keep your credit card balances below 30% to protect your progress. You should also routinely check your credit reports to ensure their accuracy.