You can rent with a low credit score, but you will pay more and provide more proof of income
A low credit score does not automatically disqualify you from renting. Most landlords will rent to someone with poor credit if you can show you have stable income now and explain what caused the score to drop. The trade-off is real: you may pay a higher security deposit, a non-refundable process fee, or first month's rent upfront. Some landlords will ask for a co-signer — someone with better credit who agrees to pay if you do not. Others will straightforward move to the next applicant. Your job is to find the landlords willing to work with your situation and make yourself the lowest-risk choice among applicants they will consider.
The good news is that landlords care less about your credit score number than you think. They care about whether you paid rent on time in the past. A score of 500 with no recent problems is less risky to them than a score of 650 with a missed payment from last month. If your low score comes from old debt, medical bills, or a one-time missed payment years ago, you can explain that and still rent. If it comes from recent missed payments or an active collections account, you have a harder case — but it is not impossible.
Key Takeaways
- Landlords typically look for recent missed payments or collections accounts more than the score itself, so explaining old debt matters more than the number.
- Offering a larger security deposit, proof of stable income, and references from previous landlords can offset a low score and make you competitive.
- Smaller landlords and properties in less competitive markets are more likely to rent to someone with credit problems than large management companies.
- A co-signer with good credit can open doors, but they are legally responsible if you do not pay, so choose someone who understands that commitment.
- Avoid paying upfront fees to anyone claiming they can may provide housing or repair your credit — these are scams.
What landlords actually look for on a credit report
Landlords do not care about your credit score the way a bank does. When a landlord pulls your credit, they are looking for evictions, collections accounts, and recent missed payments — not your overall score. An eviction on your record means you did not pay rent and a court ordered you out. A collections account means a debt went unpaid long enough that a company bought it to pursue you. A recent missed payment means you fell behind in the last few months. These three things worry landlords most.
If your low score comes from old debt, medical bills, or a one-time missed payment years ago, you can explain that. If it comes from recent missed payments or an active collections account, you have a harder case. Be honest about what is on your report. Landlords will find out anyway when they run the credit check, and lying on an process gives them legal grounds to reject you or evict you later.
How to strengthen your process when credit is weak
Start by gathering documents that prove you can pay rent right now. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last two months), a letter from your employer confirming your job and salary, and bank statements showing you have money in the account. If you have been at your job less than a year, bring documentation from your previous employer too. The goal is to show the landlord that your income is stable and that you have enough left over after expenses to cover rent each month.
Get references from previous landlords if you have them. A landlord who will say you paid on time and took care of the unit is worth more than any credit score. If you have never rented before, ask an employer, teacher, or community leader who can vouch for your reliability. Written references are stronger than verbal ones — ask them to put it in an email or letter you can show.
Offer a larger security deposit. If the standard deposit is one month's rent, offer one and a half or two months. This shows you are serious and gives the landlord a financial cushion if something goes wrong. In most states, landlords must return this money if you move out without damage, so it is not money lost — it is money held. Check your state's security deposit laws to understand what the landlord can and cannot do with it.
Finding landlords willing to work with low credit
Large management companies and corporate landlords often use automated screening that rejects anyone below a certain credit score. Smaller landlords — people who own one or two properties — are more flexible. They are more likely to look at your whole process instead of a single number. Look for rentals listed by individual owners on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or local rental sites rather than only on national platforms like Apartments.com or Zillow.
Apartments in less competitive markets are easier to rent. If you live in a city where dozens of people explore for every unit, landlords can afford to be picky. In smaller towns or less popular neighborhoods, landlords may be grateful to find a reliable tenant and care less about credit. Moving to a less expensive area is not always possible, but it is worth considering if you are stuck in a competitive market.
Talk to the landlord directly if you can. A phone call or in-person conversation lets you explain your situation before they make a decision. Many landlords will listen to a story about a medical emergency or job loss that caused the credit problem. A form process does not give you that chance. When you call, be straightforward: "I have a lower credit score because of [reason], but I have stable income now and I am looking for a place I can stay long-term."
Using a co-signer to offset credit problems
A co-signer is someone with good credit who signs the lease alongside you and agrees to pay rent if you do not. Landlords often accept a co-signer as a way to reduce their risk. Parents, grandparents, or other family members are common choices. The co-signer does not live in the apartment, but they are legally responsible for the debt if you do not pay.
Before asking someone to co-sign, make sure they understand what they are agreeing to. If you miss rent, the landlord can sue the co-signer for the full amount. If the co-signer does not pay, it damages their credit too. This is a real commitment, not a favor. Choose someone who trusts you and can afford to cover rent if necessary. Have an honest conversation about what could go wrong.
Some landlords will accept a co-signer only if they live in the same state or meet other conditions. Ask the landlord about their co-signer policy before you ask your co-signer to sign anything. You do not want to put someone through the process only to find out the landlord will not accept them.
What to avoid when renting with low credit
Do not pay upfront fees to anyone claiming they can may provide you housing or fix your credit score. These are scams. Legitimate landlords collect a security deposit and process fee (usually $25 to $75), but they do not charge hundreds of dollars upfront to "process" your process or promise you will be approved. If someone asks for money before you have signed a lease, walk away.
Do not explore to dozens of apartments in a short time. Every process generates a credit inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short period can lower your score further. explore to places you are genuinely interested in and that seem likely to work with you. Three to five solid applications are better than twenty desperate ones.
Do not lie on your process about income, employment, or previous addresses. Landlords verify this information, and dishonesty is grounds for when ready rejection or eviction. If you cannot afford the rent honestly, the apartment is not affordable for you. It is better to keep looking than to start a lease you cannot sustain.
What happens after you sign the lease
Once you are approved and move in, your job is to pay rent on time, every time. Set up automatic payments if you can so you never miss a due date. Keep records of every payment you make — screenshots, receipts, bank statements. A clean rental history going forward is how you rebuild your reputation and your credit.
After a year or two of on-time payments, you will have a strong rental reference that matters more than your credit score. When you move to your next apartment, you can show that history and rent will be easier. You can also ask your current landlord to write a reference letter confirming you paid on time. That letter is gold when you explore elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent if I have an eviction on my record?
It is harder, but not impossible. Evictions stay on your record for seven years, and most landlords will see it. Smaller landlords are more willing to overlook an old eviction if you can explain what happened and show you have been stable since. Recent evictions are much harder to overcome. Be honest about it and focus on finding a landlord who will listen to your story.
What credit score do I need to rent an apartment?
There is no single answer — it depends on the landlord. Some will rent to anyone with income; others want a score above 650 or 700. Rather than chasing a number, focus on showing stable income and finding a landlord willing to work with you. Your income and rental history matter more than the score itself.
Should I get a credit repair service to help me rent?
No. Credit repair companies cannot remove accurate information from your report, and they charge hundreds of dollars for work you can do yourself. Focus instead on explaining your situation to landlords and offering stronger proof of income. That is faster and free.
Can a landlord reject me just because of my credit score?
Yes, landlords can set their own screening standards. However, they cannot discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. If you believe you were rejected for one of these reasons rather than credit, contact your local housing authority or a fair housing organization.
What if I cannot find anyone to co-sign?
Focus on the other strategies: offer a larger deposit, provide strong income documentation, get references from previous landlords, and target smaller landlords or less competitive markets. A co-signer helps, but it is not the only path to renting with low credit.