You’ve found a rental that checks all the boxes—location, price, amenities—but before you apply, there’s one more box to check: your credit. For many renters, the credit check can feel like a make-or-break moment. But what score do landlords really expect? And what can you do if yours falls short?
This in-depth guide unpacks what credit scores landlords look for, how your credit report affects rental decisions, how to improve your odds of approval, and how tools like Ava Finance can help you build a stronger credit history for future rental applications.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent?
There’s no single number that guarantees rental approval, but a FICO® Score of 600 to 650 or higher is generally considered acceptable by most landlords. A score above 670 puts you in the “good credit” category, offering a better chance of approval and possibly fewer upfront costs like deposits.
That said, the actual credit score threshold can vary widely depending on:
- The competitiveness of the local rental market
- The policies of the landlord or property management company
- Your income and employment stability
- Your rental history and references
In highly competitive areas, landlords may favor applicants with scores of 700+, while smaller landlords may be more flexible if you can demonstrate reliable income and a good rental track record.
What Landlords Look For in Your Credit Profile
A credit score is only part of the equation. Landlords typically assess your overall credit report and financial behavior to understand whether you're likely to pay rent on time.
Here’s what they typically examine:
Payment History This is the most significant factor in your credit score. Landlords look for a track record of on-time payments to evaluate your reliability. Consistent late payments, charge-offs, or defaults can raise red flags.
Credit Utilization This is the percentage of your available credit you’re using. High credit utilization—generally above 30%—can signal financial stress and may lead landlords to question your ability to cover rent.
Debt Load Landlords may examine how much total debt you carry, including student loans, car loans, credit cards, and personal loans. A high monthly debt burden could suggest you’re overextended.
Bankruptcies or Foreclosures These events indicate significant financial distress in the past. While not always disqualifying, they will likely require explanation and could impact your approval odds.
Tenant Screening Reports Some landlords use third-party services that compile credit, rental history, and even eviction records to create a tenant risk score. Any previous evictions or unpaid rent balances will likely appear.
Income and Employment Verification Even with strong credit, most landlords want to verify that you can comfortably afford the rent. Expect to provide recent pay stubs, bank statements, or tax forms to show stable income.
Background Checks Landlords may also screen for criminal records depending on the jurisdiction. Some offenses, especially recent ones, could impact your application.
How to Check Your Credit Before Applying
Knowing your credit profile is key to applying with confidence. You can access your credit report from all three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—at AnnualCreditReport.com. Through 2026, you can check your reports weekly for free.
When reviewing your credit report, look for:
- Incorrect or outdated account details
- Unauthorized accounts that may signal identity theft
- Past due accounts, collections, or public records
Disputing errors with the bureaus and having them corrected can improve your score and strengthen your application.
What to Do If Your Rental Application Is Denied
A rejection can be frustrating—but it’s also an opportunity to learn and improve.
By law, if a landlord denies your application based on your credit or background, they must send you an adverse action notice explaining the decision. This notice will also list the credit bureau or tenant screening service they used.
Steps to take:
- Request a Copy of the Report: You’re entitled to a free copy within 60 days of the denial.
- Review the Report for Errors: If you find inaccuracies, file a dispute and follow up with documentation.
- Contact the Landlord: If the issue is minor or explainable, a conversation may change their decision.
- Apply Strategically: Target rentals that match your financial profile or have more flexible criteria.
How to Improve Your Credit Score for Renting
Credit is not static. Even if you’re denied today, consistent efforts can help you qualify in the near future.
Proven credit-building steps:
- Pay all bills on time: Set calendar reminders or automate payments to stay on track.
- Lower your credit utilization: Pay down credit card balances to reduce your debt ratio.
- Don’t open multiple accounts at once: Too many new inquiries can temporarily lower your score.
- Keep older accounts open: The age of your accounts helps build your credit history.
- Monitor your credit regularly: Use free services or apps to track your progress.
Improving your credit takes time, but even a 20-30 point increase could be enough to move into a more favorable range for landlords.
Renting with Bad Credit: Creative Workarounds
If your score isn’t ideal, there are still ways to secure a lease. Many landlords consider the full picture—not just your credit.
Strategies that can improve your chances:
Use a Cosigner or Guarantor A trusted individual with good credit who agrees to be responsible if you default can reassure landlords.
Pay a Larger Deposit Offering extra rent upfront or a higher security deposit can offset concerns.
Provide Proof of Income Demonstrate you have stable, sufficient income with documentation like pay stubs or tax returns.
Show References Landlord or employer letters can vouch for your character and reliability.
Explain Your Situation If your credit suffered due to medical debt or temporary hardship, share the context.
These measures show that you're serious, responsible, and willing to go the extra mile to prove your creditworthiness.
Does Renting Help Build Your Credit?
Most rent payments are not reported to credit bureaus—which means they don’t impact your credit score unless something goes wrong.
However, unpaid rent sent to collections can severely damage your credit and stay on your report for up to seven years. Evictions don’t appear on credit reports directly but may show up in public record searches or tenant screenings.
To make rent payments count positively, consider using a rent reporting service. These services report your on-time rent payments to major credit bureaus, helping you build a positive credit history over time.
Still, rent reporting only scratches the surface of credit building. If you’re serious about improving your credit profile, you may want to use a dedicated credit builder tool like Ava Finance.
Build Credit Smarter with Ava Finance
Renting with confidence starts with a strong credit foundation. Ava Finance is a modern credit builder app that helps users establish or improve their credit by reporting recurring payments to all three major credit bureaus.
Unlike high-interest loans or secured cards, Ava offers a simple, low-risk way to build your credit profile without taking on more debt.
Why Ava Works:
- No credit check to get started
- No interest or revolving balance
- Reports monthly activity to all major bureaus
- Helps establish payment history, the most important factor in your score
Whether you’re just beginning your credit journey or trying to recover from past mistakes, Ava gives you the tools to take control.
Final Thoughts: Renting Shouldn’t Be a Credit Obstacle
Finding a home shouldn’t be limited by a number—especially one that doesn’t tell your whole story. But the reality is, credit scores and reports play a big role in rental decisions. Understanding what landlords look for, checking your credit ahead of time, and using strategies to strengthen your application can make a big difference.
More importantly, building strong credit isn’t just about renting. It opens doors to better rates, lower deposits, and more financial freedom overall.
With Ava Finance, you can take the first step toward building credit history that helps—not hinders—your rental applications.
Ready to take control of your credit and secure your next home with confidence?
Visit www.meetava.com to learn more.
