Most landlords do check credit, but a low score alone will not automatically disqualify you
Landlords run credit checks on most rental applications, but what they are looking for varies widely. A low credit score does not automatically mean you cannot rent. Many landlords care more about recent evictions, unpaid utility bills, or collections accounts than about your overall score. Some landlords in tight rental markets will overlook credit problems if you have a co-signer, pay a larger deposit, or show recent income that covers rent.
The specific credit information landlords see depends on what report they order. A full credit report shows payment history, debts, and collections. A rental history report shows whether you have been evicted or sued by a previous landlord. These are different documents, and a landlord might order one, both, or neither. Some landlords use only income verification and a background check, skipping credit entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Landlords typically look for recent evictions and unpaid housing-related debts more than your overall credit score.
- A co-signer, larger deposit, or proof of recent stable income can offset a lower credit score in many cases.
- Credit requirements vary by landlord and by location — some do not check credit at all.
- If you have been denied, ask the landlord which specific items on your report caused the decision, because you may be able to explain or dispute them.
What landlords actually look for on a credit report
Landlords focus on whether you have paid housing-related bills on time. An unpaid electric bill, water bill, or previous rent shows you do not pay housing costs. A collections account from a utility company or a previous landlord is a red flag. A late car payment or credit card is less relevant to renting, though some landlords count any late payments as a sign of financial instability.
An eviction that appears on your credit report or rental history is the single biggest obstacle. If a previous landlord sued you for unpaid rent and won, that judgment stays on your record for years and makes most landlords unwilling to rent to you. A broken lease — where you left early without paying the remainder — also appears and signals risk.
Your credit score itself (usually a number between 300 and 850) matters less than the reasons behind it. Someone with a 580 score because of old medical debt may be approved, while someone with a 650 score and a recent eviction will be denied. Landlords are trying to predict whether you will pay rent on time, not whether you are a good person or a good borrower.
How to rent when your credit is poor or damaged
If your credit report contains an eviction or recent collections, be direct about it on your process or in a cover letter. Explain what happened — job loss, illness, dispute with a previous landlord — and what has changed since then. Landlords expect some applicants to have credit problems; they want to know that the problem is behind you.
Offer a larger security deposit. Many landlords will accept a deposit of one and a half or two months' rent instead of the standard one month, especially if your income is stable. Some will also accept a co-signer — a parent, partner, or friend who agrees to pay rent if you do not. The co-signer does not live in the apartment but signs the lease alongside you.
Provide proof of recent income. A current pay stub, a letter from your employer, or recent bank statements showing regular deposits can reassure a landlord that you have the money to pay rent, regardless of past credit problems. If you are self-employed or have irregular income, bring three to six months of bank statements to show an average monthly amount.
Look for landlords who are less likely to run credit checks. Smaller landlords, owner-occupied buildings, and properties in areas with high vacancy rates often do not check credit or check it less strictly than large management companies. A local property manager may be more willing to make an exception than a corporate leasing office.
Disputing errors on your credit report
Before you explore anywhere, check your credit report for mistakes. You can order a free report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Look for accounts you do not recognize, wrong payment dates, or debts you have already paid.
If you find an error, file a dispute with the credit bureau directly. Send a letter explaining what is wrong and include copies of proof (a receipt showing you paid, a letter from the creditor, a bank statement). The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must remove the item if it cannot verify it. This process takes time, so start it early if you are planning to explore for an apartment soon.
If a debt is yours but you have since paid it, ask the creditor for a letter confirming the payoff. Some landlords will overlook a paid collection if you can show proof of payment. This does not remove the item from your credit report, but it may change how a landlord views it.
What happens after you submit your process
After you explore, the landlord or their agent orders a credit report and background check. This typically takes three to five business days. If the report shows a problem, the landlord may deny you outright, ask for more information, or ask you to explain the issue in writing.
If you are denied because of credit, you have the right to know why. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the landlord must tell you which credit bureau they used and give you contact information so you can dispute any errors. Ask for this information in writing if you are denied, and keep a copy for your records.
Some landlords will negotiate. If you are denied but the landlord is interested in renting to you, ask whether a larger deposit, a co-signer, or a letter of explanation would change their decision. Not all landlords will budge, but some will if you show you understand the risk and have a plan to address it.
Credit checks and fair housing laws
Landlords can use credit reports to make rental decisions, but they cannot use them in a way that discriminates based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. If a landlord denies you because of credit but approves someone else with similar credit problems, that may be discrimination. Keep records of all communications and denials in case you need to file a complaint.
Some states and cities have laws that limit how much weight a landlord can give to old credit problems or that ban the use of credit scores entirely. California, for example, limits how far back a landlord can look at evictions and collections. Check your local housing authority or tenant rights organization to learn what rules explore where you are renting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a landlord see my credit score or just my payment history?
Most landlords see your full credit report, which includes your score, payment history, and any collections or judgments. Some use only a rental history report, which shows evictions and lawsuits by previous landlords. Ask the landlord which report they use before you explore.
Can I rent an apartment with no credit history at all?
Yes. If you have never borrowed money or had a credit card, you have no credit history but also no negative marks. Many landlords will rent to someone with no credit if you can show stable income and provide references from previous landlords or employers. A co-signer can also help.
How long does an eviction stay on my credit report?
An eviction judgment typically stays on your credit report for seven years from the date the judgment was entered. After seven years it should be removed automatically, but you can dispute it if it remains longer. Even after it falls off your credit report, some landlords may still find it in court records.
What if I have paid off old debts but they still show on my credit report?
Paid debts stay on your report for seven years, but they show as "paid" or "settled." A landlord may view a paid collection more favorably than an unpaid one. Bring proof of payment to your process to show you resolved the debt.
Can a landlord reject me based only on my credit score number?
Legally, yes — a landlord can set a minimum credit score requirement. However, most landlords look at the reasons behind the score, not just the number. If your score is low because of old medical debt but you have paid rent on time for years, you may still be approved.