When looking for an apartment to rent, having good credit is important. A strong credit score can help you secure a lease with favorable terms and lower security deposits. But what if your credit isn’t perfect? In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about credit and renting.

What credit number should I have before trying to rent an apartment?

A a credit score of 650 or higher is generally considered good, and may be required for some rental properties. Though the specific credit score required will vary from landlord to landlord.

Do all landlords do credit checks?

Many landlords do credit checks as part of the rental application process, but not all do. Credit checks help landlords assess the likelihood that a tenant will pay their rent on time and fulfill their lease obligations.

At the same time, some landlords or property management companies recognize that credit scores are primarily determined by payments made on credit cards and loans, which most people don’t prioritize paying as much as they prioritize paying their rent.

I’ve been renting for about 12 years now and about half of the places I’ve rented ran credit checks.

If my income is high, can I rent with poor credit?

It may be possible to rent with poor credit if your income is high enough. Landlords want to know that you can afford to pay your rent, so providing proof of income and references can help your case.

I personally was able to rent an apartment when I Was 18 and my boyfriend was in his early 20’s, before either of us had credit scores. The first apartment we got didn’t check our credit, only our income. In our area, there have always been available apartment at some of the apartment complexes in town. I suspect this may be part of why those places didn’t check our credit scores. If you live in an area where there is a high demand for rentals, that probably makes it harder to get approved to rent because there is more competition, essentially.

What can I do to improve my odds of being approved to rent when I have a low credit score?

If you have a low credit score, there are steps you can take to improve your creditworthiness. Paying bills on time, paying down debt, and disputing errors on your credit report can all help raise your score.

If you don’t have time to improve your credit score, you can still improve your odds of getting accepted into a rental. To do that, provide references of your past rental history and a proof of your income. You can even put together information about your monthly budget, to help illustrate how you are confident you will be able to afford the apartment. In some cases, having another person sign the lease with you can help as well. These things can also help show landlords that you are a responsible tenant.

Is income or credit more important when applying to rent a home?

Both income and credit are important factors when applying to rent a home. Landlords want to know that you have enough income to afford the rent, but they also want to assess your creditworthiness and determine the likelihood that you will pay your rent on time.

Of the two, in my experience at least, income is the more important factor. It’s very common for landlords to require a tenant to have an income that is 3x higher than the rent. For example, to rent a $1000 a month apartment, you should have a take-home pay of $3,000 or more. I have only once talked to a landlord who admitted to having a firm credit score requirement.

Some will deny people with low credit, but many landlords, especially those renting more affordable places, understand that your credit score isn’t entirely indicative of whether or not you’re likely to pay your rent on time. If you have a rental history that shows you’ve always paid rent on time, that may speak louder than your low credit score.

Can an 18 year old without a credit score rent an apartment?

It may be difficult for an 18 year old or otherwise young adult without a credit score to rent an apartment, as landlords typically rely on credit checks to assess a tenant’s creditworthiness. However, there are ways to build credit at a young age, such as opening a credit card or being added as an authorized user on a parent’s account.

Also, some landlords don’t require a credit check at all! So people without a credit score will not be impacted. In other cases, landlords will be willing to rent to young adults who have no credit score as long as they have a good proof of income.

Will paying rent on time improve my credit?

Paying rent on time may not directly improve your credit score, as rent payments are not typically reported to credit bureaus. However, paying rent on time will assist you with creating a positive rental history, and having a good rental history can improve your odds of being approved for renting different apartments in the future.

Will a co-signer help me rent an apartment with bad credit?

Yes, having a co-signer with good credit can help you rent an apartment with bad credit. A co-signer agrees to be responsible for the rent if you are unable to pay, which can reassure landlords that they will receive their rent payments.

How long do negative items on my credit report affect my ability to rent an apartment?

Negative items on your credit report, such as missed payments or collections, can stay on your report for up to seven years. However, the impact of these items on your credit score may diminish over time as you build a positive payment history.