You can rent an apartment without a credit score, but landlords will ask for something else instead
No, you do not need credit to rent an apartment. Many landlords do run credit checks, but plenty do not — and even those who do will often rent to someone with no credit history or a damaged one if you can show them another way to prove you will pay rent on time. What matters to a landlord is whether you look like a safe bet. A credit score is one way to show that. A larger security deposit, a co-signer, proof of income, or references from previous landlords are others.
The catch is that without credit, you will likely pay more upfront or face stricter income requirements. A landlord taking on extra risk usually asks for it in cash or in guarantees. Knowing what landlords actually check — and what you can offer instead — keeps you from wasting time on places that will turn you down, and helps you understand what to prepare before you start looking.
Key Takeaways
- Landlords check credit to predict whether you will pay rent, but they will consider other proof of payment history if you do not have a credit score.
- A larger security deposit — often double or triple the normal amount — is the most common way to rent without credit.
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a job offer letter) matters more to most landlords than your credit score.
- A co-signer with good credit can replace a credit check entirely, though some landlords will still run a check on them.
- Building credit takes time, but renting an apartment and paying on time does not directly build a credit score unless the landlord reports to credit bureaus.
What landlords actually look for when they run a credit check
A credit check tells a landlord three things: whether you have unpaid debts, whether you have a history of late payments, and whether you have too much debt relative to your income. Landlords are not trying to punish you for past mistakes — they are trying to predict whether the rent check will arrive on the first of the month.
If you have no credit history at all (you have never borrowed money, never had a credit card, never had a utility bill in your name), a credit check will show nothing. That is not the same as a bad score. Many landlords will move forward with someone who has no history, especially if you can show current income and offer a larger deposit. If you have a bad credit history — late payments, collections, evictions, or bankruptcy — that is riskier from a landlord's perspective, but still not a hard no.
The key point: a credit check is one tool. It is not the only tool, and many landlords do not use it at all. Smaller landlords, private owners, and buildings in tight rental markets often skip the credit check because they have other ways to vet tenants or because they need to fill the unit quickly.
How to rent without a credit score
If you have no credit history, your best move is to offer something a landlord values more: cash. A larger security deposit signals that you are serious and that you have money in the bank. Standard security deposits are usually one month's rent. Without credit, offering two or three months' rent as a deposit makes you a much stronger candidate. You will get that money back when you move out (minus any damage), so it is not money lost — but it does mean you need cash on hand before you sign a lease.
Proof of income is equally important. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last two or three months), a job offer letter if you are new to a job, or tax returns if you are self-employed. If you receive benefits, bring documentation of those. A landlord wants to see that your monthly income is at least three times the monthly rent — sometimes four times if you have no credit. If you fall short, a co-signer can bridge that gap.
References from previous landlords carry real weight. If you have rented before, contact your former landlord and ask them to speak to the new one. A landlord who will vouch for you — who will say you paid on time and took care of the place — often matters more than a credit score. If you have never rented, ask an employer, a professor, or someone else who can speak to your reliability.
Using a co-signer to strengthen your process
A co-signer is someone (usually a family member) who agrees to pay the rent if you do not. From a landlord's perspective, a co-signer with good credit and solid income is almost as good as you having good credit yourself. The co-signer does not live in the apartment — they are just a financial backup.
To use a co-signer, you will need to provide the landlord with their name, contact information, and permission to run a credit check on them. The landlord will verify their income (usually requiring pay stubs or tax returns) and may call them to confirm they understand the obligation. Some landlords will still run a credit check on you even with a co-signer, but many will skip it if the co-signer's finances look solid.
The downside: a co-signer is legally responsible if you do not pay. If you miss rent, the landlord can pursue the co-signer for the money. This is a real obligation, not a formality, so make sure the person you ask understands what they are signing up for.
What happens if you have bad credit, not no credit
Bad credit — late payments, collections, or an eviction on your record — is harder to work around than no credit, but it is not impossible. A landlord will see the negative marks and will ask you to offset that risk somehow.
The most direct route is a larger deposit. If a normal deposit is one month's rent, offering three or four months' rent shows the landlord you are taking responsibility seriously. You can also write a brief letter explaining what happened (job loss, medical emergency, dispute with a previous landlord) and what has changed since then. Landlords do not always read these, but some do, and it can shift the conversation from "this person is risky" to "this person had a rough patch and is moving forward."
Proof of current income and stability matters more when you have bad credit. If you can show that you have been at the same job for a year or more, that your income is steady, and that you have not had recent late payments, a landlord may overlook older negative marks. Recent problems are scarier than old ones.
Income requirements and how they change without credit
Most landlords use an income-to-rent ratio: they want to see that your gross monthly income is at least three times the monthly rent. So if the rent is $1,200 a month, you need to show at least $3,600 in monthly income.
Without credit, some landlords raise that bar to four times the rent, or they require a co-signer to meet the three-times standard. This is their way of building in a safety margin. If you fall short of the income requirement, a co-signer with sufficient income can often satisfy the landlord, or you can offer a much larger deposit to compensate.
Income counts in many forms: W-2 wages, self-employment income, benefits (Social Security, disability, unemployment), student loans, child support, or alimony. Bring documentation for whatever income you have. If you are between jobs, a job offer letter with a start date and salary can sometimes work, though not all landlords will accept it.
Does renting an apartment build your credit?
Renting an apartment does not build your credit score unless the landlord reports your rent payments to a credit bureau. Most landlords do not. They report only if you fail to pay — a missed or late payment will show up on your credit report. On-time payments usually stay invisible to credit bureaus.
There are exceptions. Some landlords and property management companies do report rent payments to credit bureaus, especially larger corporate landlords. Before you sign a lease, you can ask the landlord whether they report to credit bureaus. If they do, paying rent on time for a year or more will help build your credit score. If they do not, renting will not affect your credit one way or the other.
If you want to build credit while renting, consider a secured credit card (a card backed by a cash deposit) or becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card. These are separate from renting and will actually show up on your credit report.
Red flags that will make renting harder, with or without credit
Beyond credit, landlords check for other things that signal risk. An eviction on your record — especially a recent one — is the biggest red flag. An eviction means a court found that you did not pay rent or broke the lease. It is much harder to overcome than a bad credit score. If you have an eviction, be prepared to offer a very large deposit and to explain what happened.
Criminal history varies by state and by landlord. Some landlords will not rent to anyone with a felony conviction. Others focus only on crimes related to property or violence. Some will consider how long ago the conviction was and what you have done since. There is no single rule, so you may need to explore to multiple landlords to find one willing to work with you.
Inconsistent rental history — frequent moves, gaps in housing, or a pattern of short-term rentals — can raise questions. Landlords prefer tenants who stay put. If you have moved a lot, be ready to explain why (job changes, family circumstances) and to show that you are now looking for stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent an apartment if I have never had credit?
Yes. No credit history is not the same as bad credit. Offer a larger security deposit (two to three months' rent), bring proof of current income, and get a reference from a previous landlord or employer. Many landlords will rent to someone with no credit history if the other pieces are solid.
What if I cannot afford a larger security deposit?
A co-signer can sometimes replace the need for extra cash. If you have a family member or close friend with good credit and income, they can co-sign the lease. You can also look for landlords who do not run credit checks — smaller private landlords, buildings in high-demand areas, or those advertising "no credit check" rentals.
How long does a bad mark stay on my credit report?
Late payments stay for seven years, evictions for seven years, and bankruptcy for seven to ten years depending on the type. However, older marks matter less than recent ones. A late payment from five years ago will hurt you less than one from five months ago.
Will paying rent on time help me get a better apartment later?
Only if your landlord reports to credit bureaus — most do not. However, paying rent on time will give you a reference from your current landlord, which is often more valuable than a credit score when you explore for your next place.
What should I do if a landlord denies me because of credit?
Ask the landlord what specifically they saw on your credit report and whether there is anything you can do to move forward — a larger deposit, a co-signer, or proof of recent on-time payments. If they will not budge, keep looking. Not all landlords use credit checks, and you may find a better fit elsewhere.