What Credit Score Do I Need to Rent?

You’ll typically need a credit score of at least 600 to 650 to rent an apartment, although the requirements can vary by location and building type. If you're trying to figure out what credit score for an apartment you need, you're not alone. Many renters worry about being approved with a low score, but there’s a wide range of options depending on the market. Here's what you need to know about getting approved and how credit affects your rental application.

Guide to Credit Scores for Renters

What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment?

Are you trying to make sense of the average credit score to rent an apartment? A 2024 report by The Zebra found that the average credit score for U.S. renters was 650. Their survey also showed that 7.7% of respondents had a fair (580-669) credit score.

Anecdotally, many renters report that a score of 650 or above is often requested for approval of a rental application. In general, landlords are unlikely to approve you with a poor credit history but might consider you if you can demonstrate current financial stability.

The bottom line is that the score you need varies by location, but you're likely to get approved in most places if your score is at least 650. If you fall below that, however, that doesn't mean you won't be able to rent, as is clear from the national average and examples of regional averages.

What Do the Numbers in a Credit Score Mean?

While a desirable credit score needed to rent an apartment is usually in the eye of the beholder, there is a widely used scale to measure the ranges:

• 300-579: Poor
• 580-669: Fair
• 670-739: Good
• 740-799: Very good
• 800-850: Excellent

Each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) varies in how they determine credit scores. As a result, there could be some differences, but these ranges give you an idea of what to expect.

How is Credit Score Determined?

• Payment history: This shows how often you've paid your credit cards and loans over the length of your credit history.
• Accounts owed: The amount you owe, or outstanding debt, can determine 30% of your credit score and impact your credit profile.
• Average age of credit: Credit score algorithms look at how long all of your accounts have been open and calculate your "credit age."
• New credit lines: When you open a new credit card or take out a loan, it can lower the average of your total accounts.
• Credit mix: Your credit mix includes any mortgages, loans, credit cards, and other factors that impact your credit score.

Each credit reporting agency looks at the weight of these components differently. For instance, Experian uses FICO, which offers a slightly different distribution than the system used by TransUnion.

Why Do Landlords Look for Renters with Good Credit?

Several factors that determine your credit score needed to rent also make you more desirable as a tenant and therefore more likely to be approved. For example, a solid payment history shows that you are willing and ready to meet your financial obligations, as does a long credit history. Also, the amount that you owe helps your landlord understand whether you'll be able to afford rent alongside your other bills. All of this information helps assure your landlord that you will make rental payments on time.

How to Rent an Apartment with Bad Credit

If you can’t meet the minimum credit score to rent apartment, there are still ways to secure a lease. We wrote a whole guide on renting with no or bad credit, but here is the overview:

• Be honest & Explain Your Situation: Your landlord will find out your credit score, so it’s best to be upfront and honest from the start. Landlords are often open-minded to poor credit, especially if you explain you were dealing with personal situations like medical bills or divorce.
• Look for Private Landlords: Private landlords are often easier to negotiate with than large rental companies. Learn more about finding private landlords in this guide.
• Offer a higher security deposit: Give landlords peace of mind by offering a higher security deposit that could be used if you can’t make rent.
• Pay upfront: You can offer to pay your rent upfront for several months at a time to assure your landlord they will recoup their expenses.
• Provide proof of savings: A healthy savings account can go a long way to securing a lease with a bad credit score.
• Provide plenty of references: A credit score only tells part of your story, so bring along landlord and employee references that speak to your reliability.
• Use a cosigner: A cosigner is legally obligated to uphold the lease terms and pay rent if you don't.
• Consider a guarantor: Guarantors are similar to cosigners and are legally required to pay your rent if you cannot do it yourself.
• Find a roommate: Landlords are usually more confident when roommates split the costs and lower expenses for a tenant with bad credit.

It’s not easy to score an apartment with a bad credit score, but it can be done. You’ll need a combination of the above strategies and determination to reach your goals.

Simple Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

Bad credit isn’t the end of your rental journey. There are still ways you can improve and build your credit score and position yourself as a more desirable tenant.

• Report your payments: Use a rent reporting service to make sure your on-time payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus. This will ensure that your rent goes toward improving your credit.
• Don’t close old credit cards: Closing a credit card could decrease your credit limit increases your utilization rate, which could negatively impact your score.
• Pay what you can, as often as you can: Making regular payments on credit cards and loans help chip away at your debt and improve your score.
• Request a credit increase: Increasing a credit limit lowers your credit utilization ratio and can give your credit score a boost.
• Increase your credit: If you get denied a credit increase, you can try to increase it yourself by paying off debt or taking out a new card.
• Use autopay: Autopay your credit cards so the money automatically comes out of your account and goes towards your debt.
• Limit hard inquiries: When a lender or company reviews your credit report during a loan application or credit card process, it's recorded as a hard inquiry. As a result, it can negatively impact your score over time.
• Only Use 30% of your available credit: Your credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score, and going above that number drags down your score.
• Report your on-time rental payments: Use a rent reporting service to ensure that the credit agencies see your on-time rent payments.

Credit scores fluctuate and can rapidly climb over time. Keep trying to improve your score, even if you don’t feel like it’s making much difference. You’ll see positive changes as your efforts pay off.

Looking for a New Apartment?

The question isn't always, "What credit score do you need to rent an apartment?" but what can you do to improve your credit? Your credit fluctuates regularly and can improve with some simple steps, like paying down debt and increasing your available credit.

Staying proactive and talking to prospective landlords about your situation can also help secure your next lease. They may also agree to a more expensive short-term lease that reduces their risk of renting to someone with bad credit.

Ready to find a new place? Use Apartment List's quiz to find a place matched with your ideal location, price point, and amenities.

FAQs About Credit Scores and Renting

What is the minimum credit score to rent an apartment?

Most landlords require a score between 600 and 650, but this varies depending on location and property type.

What can I do if I’m denied an apartment because of credit?

Ask for the reason, offer additional proof of stability, or try a different landlord or property with more flexible credit requirements for apartments.

Which credit score do apartments use?

Most landlords use your FICO Score, typically FICO Score 8, which ranges from 300 to 850. Some may rely on VantageScore, which often differs slightly. It’s best to ask which scoring model a landlord uses when applying.

Is 670 a good credit score to rent an apartment?

Yes. A 670 credit score is considered “good” and usually qualifies renters for most apartments. However, some luxury buildings or competitive markets may prefer scores of 700 or higher.

Can I rent an apartment with a 540 credit score?

Yes, but you’ll likely need additional support. A cosigner, a larger deposit, or strong income documentation can help. Look for landlords who consider alternative factors, such as rental history or savings.

How long does it take to get a 650 credit score?

The time to get a 650 credit score will depend on where you’re starting from, your credit habits, and how much debt you currently carry. It could take a few months to several years. Building or rebuilding credit requires consistent on-time payments, lowering debt, and avoiding new credit issues.

Is it hard to get approved for an apartment?

Getting approved for an apartment can be challenging if you have a low credit score, lowincome, or little to no rental history. Showing steady income, good references, and being honest with your landlord about your current situation can help renters get approved for an apartment.

How to get around 3x the rent?

To meet the 3x rent rule, you could try combining incomes with a roommate, using a guarantor or co-signer, or showing proof of substantial savings. Some renters also apply for apartments with more flexible income requirements, like through private landlords or a month-to-month agreement.

What can I do if I’m denied an apartment because of credit?

Ask for the reason, offer additional proof of stability, or try a different landlord or property with more flexible credit requirements for apartments.

Which credit score do apartments use?

Most landlords use your FICO Score, typically FICO Score 8, which ranges from 300 to 850. Some may rely on VantageScore, which often differs slightly. It’s best to ask which scoring model a landlord uses when applying.

Is 670 a good credit score to rent an apartment?

Yes. A 670 credit score is considered “good” and usually qualifies renters for most apartments. However, some luxury buildings or competitive markets may prefer scores of 700 or higher.

Can I rent an apartment with a 540 credit score?

Yes, but you’ll likely need additional support. A cosigner, a larger deposit, or strong income documentation can help. Look for landlords who consider alternative factors, such as rental history or savings.

How long does it take to get a 650 credit score?

The time to get a 650 credit score will depend on where you’re starting from, your credit habits, and how much debt you currently carry. It could take a few months to several years. Building or rebuilding credit requires consistent on-time payments, lowering debt, and avoiding new credit issues.

Is it hard to get approved for an apartment?

Getting approved for an apartment can be challenging if you have a low credit score, lowincome, or little to no rental history. Showing steady income, good references, and being honest with your landlord about your current situation can help renters get approved for an apartment.