5 Best Rent Reporting Services for Building Credit [2025]

Considering rent reporting services, but aren’t sure if they’re safe or helpful? Learn why we love rent reporting and how to find a reputable service!

Rent reporting services send your on-time rent payments to credit bureaus so they count toward your credit history. Since rent is usually your biggest monthly expense, using one can help you build credit faster, qualify for loans, and strengthen rental applications.

In this guide, we’ll explain how rent reporting works, review the top services, break down costs, and share tips to maximize your credit-building potential.

Rent Reporting Services Guide

What Are Rent Reporting Services?

Rent reporting services are third-party companies that verify your rent payments and report them to one or more credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).

Traditionally, rent hasn’t helped renters build credit. These services close that gap, giving you credit for consistent, on-time payments. Once reported, your rent history can positively impact your credit score—especially if you have a thin file or limited credit history.

5 Best Rent Reporting Services

If you’re looking for rent reporting services to consolidate your efforts by providing your information to all three credit reporting agencies at the same time, here are five that we recommend:

1. Self

• Self
• Price: Free (or $6.95 a month)

Our first option, Self, reports ongoing rent payments to all major credit reporting agencies for free with a sign-up. You can add the option to include utility and cell phone payments for $6.95 a month. Overall, it's a fantastic free rent reporting system with a straightforward monthly fee if you want to make it even better.

2. Pay Your Rent

• PayYourRent
• Price: Free

PayYourRent is a software service that landlords can sign up for in order to facilitate online rental payments and even additions like maintenance requests. Rent reporting is also included as a service free of charge, so landlords who choose this option are doing their tenants a big favor.

3. Real Page

• RealPage
• Price: $4.99/month

RealPage is part of a much broader tenant management software system that landlords can use to manage customer experience online. If you have access to RealPage as a tenant, then when you go to make your monthly rent payment, you should see an option to report your payments to credit agencies for a monthly fee.

4. Rent Reporters

• Rent Reporters
• Price: $94.95 Set Up Fee (can be broken into 3 monthly payments of $31.65) + $7.95/month if you pay annually ($9.95/month if you pay monthly)

Rent Reporters provides in-depth reporting that includes the past four years of your rental history as well as your latest and future payments. It reports directly to all 3 agencies.

5. Rental Kharma

• Rental Kharma
• Price: $75 Set Up Fee + $8.95 a month

Rental Kharma is a comprehensive rent reporting service that finds and reports both present and past rental payments to all 3 credit agencies, often leading to better results more quickly.

Are Rent Reporting Services Worth It?

Yes—if you pay rent on time consistently. Benefits include:

• Faster credit-building for renters with limited credit history
• Better approval odds for loans, apartments, or credit cards
• Potentially lower interest rates with a stronger score

Consider the trade-off: Paid services can cost $75–$100 upfront plus $7–$10 monthly. Weigh whether the expected credit score boost (often 20–40 points for thin files within six months) is worth the cost.

Is It Safe to Use a Rent Reporting Service?

Reputable rent reporting services are safe and use security measures like encryption and identity verification. To protect yourself:

• Choose companies with transparent privacy policies
• Check reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings
• Ask whether your landlord already offers a built-in reporting option (many property management portals include it for free)

Note: Late or missed payments may also be reported, which could hurt your score.

How to Choose a Rent Reporting Service

When evaluating services, consider these factors:

• Bureaus Covered – Prioritize those that report to all three credit bureaus.
• Cost – Compare setup and monthly fees vs. benefits.
• Features – Some include past rent reporting or utility payments.
• Security – Look for encryption and strong data protection.
• Customer Support – Make sure help is available if something goes wrong.

How to Add Rent to Your Credit Report with a Rent Reporting Service

The process is simple:

• Pick a rent reporting service
• Create an account with your current address and other rental details
• Verify your identity and lease (upload ID and rental agreement)
• Authorize reporting to credit bureaus
• Pay rent through the service (or link your bank/landlord portal)
• Check your credit report after 30–60 days to confirm reporting.

How Much Does a Rent Reporting Service Cost?

Costs vary depending on coverage and features.

Tips for Using Rental Reporting Effectively

• Choose the right rent reporting service for your needs. Consider factors such as the cost, the credit bureaus that the service reports to, and the features that the service offers.
• Make sure your rent payments are on time and in full. Rent reporting services can only report your rent payments if you make them on time and in full.
• Dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information on your credit report. If you see any inaccurate or incomplete information about your rent payments on your credit report, you should dispute it with the credit bureaus.
• Monitor your credit report regularly. It's a good idea to monitor your credit report regularly to make sure that your rent payments are being reported accurately.

How Does Rent Reporting Affect My Credit Score?

Rent reporting can influence your credit score in several ways, from helping establish history to determining how different scoring models treat your payments.

• Helps thin files: Rent history adds positive payment history, boosting scores by 20–40 points in many cases.
• Depends on scoring model: VantageScore includes rent data; FICO 9 and newer may also factor it in, but older models do not.
• Timeliness matters: On-time payments help, but late payments hurt if reported.

Who Should Use Rent Reporting Services?

Rent reporting is most helpful for:

• First-time renters building a credit file
• Students and young professionals without a long credit history
• People rebuilding credit who want to show consistent payments
• Renters applying for loans within the next 12–18 months

What are Some Alternatives to Rent Reporting Services?

Not ready to pay for a service? Try these options:

• Experian Boost – Free way to add rent, utility, and phone bills to Experian only
• Secured credit cards – Build history by charging small amounts and paying them off monthly
• Authorized user status – Get added to a trusted family member’s credit card account

Start Reporting Rent in Your New Apartment

Rent reporting services turn your largest monthly expense into a credit-building tool. The best services report to all three bureaus, include past history, and offer fair pricing. For renters with limited credit, these services can provide a quick boost and open financial doors.

Ready to rent smarter? Find apartments on Apartment List and start building credit with every payment.

FAQs About Rent Reporting Services

How long does it take for rent reporting to show on my credit?

Usually 30–60 days, depending on the service and bureau processing times.

Can I add past rent payments to my credit report?

Yes. Services like Rent Reporters and Rental Kharma include past rental history, often up to 24–48 months.

Will adding rent hurt my credit score?

No, adding rent to your credit report through a rent reporting service should not hurt your credit score; in fact, it’s intended to help improve it. On-time payments help, but if late payments are reported, they may lower your score.

What if my landlord doesn’t offer rent reporting?

You can sign up independently with a third-party service and link your bank account to verify payments.

Which credit score models count rent reporting?

VantageScore and newer FICO models (FICO 9, FICO 10) use rental data. Older FICO models may not.