Most landlords run a credit check, but a low score does not automatically disqualify you
Landlords use credit reports to assess risk — they want to know whether you have paid debts on time in the past. A credit check is standard in most markets, but the weight it carries varies. Some landlords focus heavily on credit score; others care more about recent evictions, unpaid utilities, or income verification. A few landlords, particularly in tight rental markets or for higher-end units, may require a minimum score (often 650 or higher), but many will rent to people with lower scores if other factors look solid.
The credit report a landlord pulls is not the same as the one banks use. It is a rental history report, which includes your payment history with previous landlords, evictions, collections, and sometimes utility payment records. This report is pulled from agencies like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, or from specialty tenant-screening companies like CoreLogic or LexisNexis. The landlord pays for this report themselves, usually $20 to $50 per applicant.
If you have no credit history at all — you have never borrowed money or had accounts in your name — you will not have a credit score. This is different from having a bad score. Landlords handle this differently depending on their policies and local law. Some will ask for alternative proof of financial responsibility instead.
Key Takeaways
- A credit check is standard, but landlords also look at income, employment, and rental history — a low score does not automatically mean rejection if other parts of your process are strong.
- Rental history reports show evictions, collections, and unpaid utilities, which often matter more to landlords than credit score alone.
- If you have no credit history, you can offer a co-signer, a larger deposit, proof of income, or references from previous landlords instead.
- You have the right to know what is in your report and to dispute errors before a landlord sees it.
- Some states and cities limit how far back landlords can look or restrict their use of certain negative marks.
What landlords actually look for in a credit report
Landlords are looking for patterns of non-payment and financial instability. A single missed payment from five years ago matters less than recent missed payments or an active eviction. Collections accounts, judgments, and unpaid utility bills are red flags because they suggest you do not pay housing-related debts. A bankruptcy on your record is a concern, but it is not a permanent disqualifier — landlords often look at what happened after the bankruptcy and whether you have paid rent on time since.
Your credit score itself is a number between 300 and 850 that summarizes your payment history. It is calculated from payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). If you have never borrowed money, you have no score at all. If you have borrowed but missed payments, your score will be lower. Landlords typically want to see a score of 620 or higher, though this varies widely by market and property type.
Income and employment verification often matter as much as credit. A landlord wants to know you can afford the rent going forward. Most require income to be at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent. If your income is borderline, a low credit score becomes a bigger problem. If your income is solid and verifiable, a lower score may not disqualify you.
What to do if you have a low credit score or no credit history
If your credit score is low or you have no credit history, you have several options. The first is to be transparent about it. Some landlords will work with you if you explain what happened — a medical emergency, job loss, or identity theft — and can show you have recovered. Bring documentation: proof of income, a letter from your employer, bank statements showing you have been paying bills on time recently, or references from previous landlords.
A co-signer is a person (usually a family member) who agrees to pay your rent if you do not. The co-signer's credit and income are checked instead of or in addition to yours. This is common for people with low scores or no rental history. The co-signer does not live with you but is legally responsible if you default. Some states limit who can be a co-signer (usually to when ready family), and some cities restrict the practice entirely.
A larger security deposit can offset credit concerns. Instead of one month's rent, you might offer two months or more. This gives the landlord a financial cushion if you miss a payment. Check your state's laws on deposit limits — many states cap deposits at one or two months' rent, so this option may not be available everywhere.
Proof of income and employment is critical if credit is weak. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last two months), a letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming your position and salary, and bank statements showing regular deposits. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the last two years and recent bank statements. Some landlords will also accept a letter from a previous landlord confirming you paid rent on time.
How to check your own credit report before you explore
You can pull your own credit report for free once per year from each of the three major bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only free source authorized by federal law. Do not use other "free credit report" websites — most require a credit card and sign you up for paid monitoring services.
When you pull your report, look for errors: accounts you did not open, payments marked late that you made on time, or duplicate entries. If you find errors, dispute them directly with the bureau in writing. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and correct the error. Send your dispute by certified mail and keep a copy. Correcting errors before a landlord sees your report can make a real difference.
You can also check your credit score through your bank or credit card company — many offer free score monitoring to customers. The score you see may differ slightly from the one a landlord sees because different scoring models exist, but it gives you a ballpark sense of where you stand.
State and local laws that limit credit checks
Some states and cities restrict how landlords can use credit information. A few examples: California limits how far back landlords can look at negative marks (generally seven years for most items, though longer for some). New York City bans the use of credit scores entirely and requires landlords to use income as the primary screening tool. Some cities require landlords to consider the reason for negative marks or to give applicants a chance to explain.
Before you explore, research your state and city rules. Contact your local housing authority, legal aid office, or tenant rights organization to learn what protections exist where you live. This information can change, so check current sources rather than relying on older articles.
Some jurisdictions also require landlords to notify you in writing if they deny your process based on information in a credit report. If this happens, you have the right to know what was in the report and to dispute it. Ask the landlord which agency pulled the report and request a copy of the report itself.
Building credit if you have none or need to improve yours
If you are renting for the first time and have no credit history, you can start building credit while you look for an apartment. Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card account (with their permission) can help. You do not need to use the card — just being listed helps your credit history. A secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit, is another option. You deposit money (usually $200 to $2,500), and the card issuer extends credit up to that amount. Use it for small purchases and pay the balance in full each month.
Building credit takes time — usually several months to a year to see meaningful improvement. If you are apartment hunting now, focus on the other strategies above: a co-signer, a larger deposit, strong income documentation, or references from previous landlords. Credit building is a longer-term project that will help you with future rentals and other financial goals.
What happens after you submit your process
Once you submit an process, the landlord or their property manager orders the credit and background check. This usually takes two to five business days. During this time, the inquiry appears on your credit report as a "hard pull," which can lower your score slightly (usually by a few points). Multiple inquiries in a short time period (within 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) count as a single inquiry, so explore to several apartments in the same week does not hurt as much as explore over several months.
The landlord will contact you if they need more information or if they want to move forward. If they deny your process, ask why. If it was based on credit information, you have the right to know which agency provided the report and to request a copy. You can then dispute errors or provide additional context to the landlord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord reject me just because of my credit score?
Legally, yes, in most places — a low credit score alone is a valid reason to deny an process. However, some cities (like New York City) ban credit score checks entirely. Even where they are allowed, many landlords weigh other factors like income, employment, and rental history equally or more heavily. If you are denied, ask the landlord to explain and to provide the credit report so you can see what they saw.
What credit score do I need to rent an apartment?
There is no universal minimum. Most landlords prefer 620 or higher, but some will rent to people with scores in the 500s if income is strong and rental history is clean. Others require 700 or higher for competitive markets or luxury units. The best approach is to ask the landlord or property manager directly what their requirements are before you explore.
If I have an eviction on my record, can I still rent?
An eviction makes renting harder but not impossible. Some landlords will not rent to anyone with an eviction history. Others will consider it if enough time has passed (usually three to seven years) and you can show stable housing and income since then. A co-signer or larger deposit may help. Some states limit how far back landlords can look at evictions, so check your local rules.
Do I have to give the landlord permission to pull my credit?
Yes. Landlords must get your written consent before pulling a credit report. This is usually part of the rental process form you sign. You can refuse, but then the landlord can deny your process. If you consent and the landlord pulls your report, you have the right to know what was in it if your process is denied.
Can I dispute something on my credit report after a landlord has already seen it?
Yes. You can dispute errors with the credit bureau at any time. If you correct an error and the landlord has already denied you based on that error, you can ask them to reconsider your process with the corrected report. Send the landlord a copy of the dispute resolution letter from the bureau showing the error was corrected.