Last updated: October 2026
Many landlords prefer a credit score of at least 600, according to Experian's March 2026 guide, but there is no legal minimum and requirements vary by landlord and city. Most property management companies run credit checks, while some smaller complexes and independent landlords may waive them and weigh income, rental history, and references instead.
The bottom line is that there is no legal minimum credit score to rent an apartment. Landlords and property managers set their own screening criteria, and those criteria vary by property, location, rental market, and the landlord's own risk tolerance.
Experian's March 2026 guide says many landlords prefer scores of at least 600 and that renters may have better approval odds at 600 to 650, but a landlord may still consider an applicant below that range. myFICO's August 2025 guide agrees that there is no official or legally required score for renting and says landlords may also weigh rental reports, income, references, and payment history.
A lower score doesn't automatically mean a denial. Steady income and a record of paying bills on time can carry real weight.
No single cutoff applies everywhere. What a landlord asks for depends on who they are and how competitive the local market is.
| Landlord or rental situation | Typical practice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Property management companies | Most run credit checks on applicants. | Experian, March 2026 |
| Smaller complexes and independent landlords | Some waive credit checks, so your score may not be a deciding factor. | Experian, March 2026 |
| Landlords using tenant screening services | May consider credit alongside rental history, eviction records, and employment verification. | CFPB, tenant screening reports |
| Competitive rental markets | Applications with lower scores may get closer scrutiny. | myFICO, August 2025 |
| Houses compared with apartments | Apartments may have lower requirements than houses. | myFICO, August 2025 |
Income matters too. A FICO Score doesn't include income, so landlords evaluate it separately (myFICO, August 2025). Experian says earning at least three to four times your rent can strengthen an application even with bad credit. Income-to-rent screens are a landlord practice, not a legal requirement, and they vary by property.
For the budget side, see Apartment List's guide to how much you should spend on rent.
A credit check shows your credit history and current accounts: payment history, debt levels, collections, credit accounts, and inquiries. Experian also lists bankruptcies, which can stay on a report for seven to 10 years depending on the type.
A tenant screening report goes further. The CFPB says it may include credit reports, rental history with eviction actions and lawsuits, employment verification, and a risk score or recommendation. For a closer look, read Apartment List's guide to rental background checks.
Many rental credit checks are soft inquiries, which don't affect your score. TransUnion SmartMove says its tenant credit screening generally results in a soft inquiry. Experian's September 2026 guide lists landlord credit checks as soft inquiries but adds that an apartment application can sometimes result in a hard inquiry. A hard inquiry can temporarily lower your score, usually by less than five points. Ask which type applies before you authorize a screening.
Experian says most landlords use FICO Score 8, though some use VantageScore, and both models range from 300 to 850.
Yes, but you'll likely need additional support. A 500 FICO Score falls in the poor range, so a landlord with a minimum score may pass on the application. A cosigner, a larger deposit where state law allows, or strong income can help, as can a landlord who reviews the full application.
Possibly, but it could be tough. Experian says a 540 score puts you in a high-risk category, which suggests to a landlord that you might not pay on time. The same applies to scores in the low 500s and upper 500s. Proof of income, references, or a cosigner may strengthen your application.
Yes. A 600 score is at the lower end of what Experian's March 2026 guide says may improve approval odds, though individual landlords can set higher or lower requirements. In a competitive market, bring proof of income, references, and documents that show you can afford the rent.
Yes, a 650 score can help you qualify, but each landlord sets its own requirements. A 650 score sits at the upper end of Experian's 600 to 650 range, but approval still depends on the landlord, the property, and the local market. Stable income and a solid rental history make the application stronger.
A low score gives a landlord a reason to hesitate, so give them reasons to say yes. These steps are ordered from the ones most often sought out to the least.
Experian says a landlord may ask for a larger deposit when your credit is weak. State and local laws limit how much a landlord can collect, so check the rules where you're renting before you offer. Learn more in Apartment List's guide to security deposits and state limits.
Verifiable income shows you can afford the rent even when your score is lower. Gather recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or an offer letter. See Apartment List's guide to proof of income and use the rent calculator to see what rent fits your income.
A cosigner or guarantor gives the landlord a second person who is financially responsible if you fall behind. Experian notes that a cosigner with good credit can boost your chances. Make sure the person understands what they are agreeing to before signing. See Apartment List's guide to lease guarantors and cosigners.
A roommate with stronger credit and enough income may help you qualify. myFICO cautions that credit scores don't add together and two low scores don't combine into a high one, and a landlord may evaluate each applicant separately.
References from previous landlords or employers give a landlord more context about your reliability. Tell your references to expect a call before you apply. If you have no rental history, see Apartment List's guide to renting with no rental history.
Experian says some smaller complexes and independent landlords waive credit checks, and myFICO says individual landlords may be more flexible than property management companies. For more options, see Apartment List's no-credit-check apartment guide.
Before you apply, pull your free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com and look for accounts or marks that aren't yours. If you find an error, contact the company that reported it and the credit bureau. The FTC explains how in its guide to disputing errors on your credit reports.
If you're not moving right away, time can help. Paying bills on time, lowering credit card balances, and disputing errors can all improve your profile. myFICO says small changes can show up within three to six months, though larger recoveries take longer.
Some landlords and payment platforms report on-time rent to the credit bureaus. Experian says its free Boost feature can add on-time payments for bills such as utilities and now rent. For more ways to build credit, see the build-credit section of Apartment List's no-credit-check apartment guide.
No. Experian says most property management companies run credit checks, but some smaller complexes and independent landlords may waive them. Ask what the landlord uses to screen applicants before you pay an application fee.
Usually not. Many rental credit checks are soft inquiries, which don't affect your score, though some can be hard inquiries that temporarily lower it. Ask which type the landlord will run before you apply.
Yes. Landlords can generally use credit and tenant screening information in rental decisions, subject to federal, state, and local law. If a landlord denies you or adds conditions because of a report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires an adverse action notice that names the reporting company and explains your right to a free copy of the report and to dispute it. Learn more in the FTC's guide to tenant background checks and your rights.
There is no legal minimum. Landlords set their own requirements, and some don't check credit at all. Experian says renters may have better odds at 600 to 650, but a lower score doesn't automatically disqualify you.
Yes, a cosigner can help when your score or income falls short of a landlord's usual criteria, because another person is responsible for the lease obligations. Read Apartment List's guide to lease guarantors and cosigners before you ask someone to sign.
Most apartments check a report from at least one of the three major bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax. Experian notes you won't know which one a landlord will check.
Possibly. With little credit history, a landlord has less to score, so income, references, and a cosigner may carry more weight, and some independent landlords skip the credit check. See Apartment List's guide to no-credit-check apartments.
There is no legal minimum for houses either. myFICO says apartments may have lower requirements than houses, so expect a house landlord to look at your score and income closely.
A collection generally stays on a credit report for seven years from the original delinquency date, which Experian’s 2026 guide measures from when the original account first became 30 days past due. Paying it doesn't remove it, but it should then show a zero balance.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, tenant screening companies generally can't report negative information older than seven years. Bankruptcies can be reported for 10 years. Some states add further limits.
If your score is lower than you'd like, focus on what you can control. Bring proof of income, gather strong references, check your credit report for errors, and consider a guarantor or cosigner. A private landlord or a property without a strict score cutoff may give you more room.
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