Most landlords check credit, but a low score does not automatically disqualify you

A credit check is standard in apartment rental — most landlords run one through a consumer reporting agency before signing a lease. What they are looking for varies. Some landlords reject anyone below 650 or 700. Others care more about recent payment history than an overall score. Many will rent to someone with poor credit if you can show recent stability, a co-signer, or a larger deposit.

The score itself is not the only thing on your report. Landlords also see late payments, collections accounts, evictions, and bankruptcies. A low score caused by old debt looks different from a low score caused by a missed rent payment last month. You have options even if your number is low — and you should know what they are before you start looking.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit score requirements vary by landlord and location; some have a minimum, others do not check credit at all.
  • Landlords see your full credit report, not just the score, so recent stability can outweigh an older low score.
  • If your credit is poor, you can offer a co-signer, pay a larger deposit, provide proof of income, or look for landlords who do not use credit checks.
  • You have the right to see what is on your credit report and to dispute errors before you explore to apartments.
  • Some landlords use alternative screening methods — rental history, employment verification, or bank statements — instead of or alongside credit checks.

What landlords actually look for on a credit report

A credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that summarizes your borrowing history. Landlords use it as a shorthand, but they also read the details underneath. A report shows payment history on credit cards, loans, and utilities; collections accounts; late payments; evictions; and bankruptcies. A landlord might overlook a score of 580 if the late payments are five years old and you have paid everything on time since. The same landlord might reject a score of 700 if there is a recent eviction or active collections account.

The reason landlords pull credit is to predict whether you will pay rent on time. They are not judging your overall financial health — they are looking for a pattern of paying or not paying. If your low score comes from medical debt or an old credit card you never used, that tells them less about rent payment than a history of late utility bills or a previous eviction.

Minimum credit scores and how they vary

There is no national standard. Large apartment complexes often have a written policy — commonly 650, 700, or 750 — and explore it to everyone. Private landlords and smaller buildings may not check credit at all, or may check but use it as one factor among many. Geographic location matters: competitive rental markets in expensive cities tend to have higher score requirements. Rural areas and less competitive markets often have lower thresholds or no requirement.

The only way to know what a specific landlord requires is to ask before you explore. Many landlords list their credit policy on the rental listing or process. If it is not listed, call or email and ask directly. This saves you the cost of a credit check fee and the rejection if your score is below their minimum.

Steps to take if your credit score is low

Before you explore to apartments, pull your own credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only free source authorized by federal law. You are may have access to to one free report per year from each of the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check for errors — wrong accounts, incorrect payment dates, or accounts that are not yours. Dispute any errors directly with the bureau; they must investigate within 30 days.

If your report is accurate but your score is low, you have several options. Offer a co-signer — someone with good credit who agrees to pay rent if you do not. Provide proof of income: recent pay stubs, a job offer letter, or bank statements showing regular deposits. Offer to pay a larger security deposit upfront. Some landlords will accept one or more of these in place of a high credit score.

You can also look for landlords who do not use credit checks. Some small landlords, owner-occupied buildings, and certain nonprofit housing programs screen tenants using employment history, rental references, and income verification instead. A local housing authority or community action agency can point you toward these options.

Alternative screening methods some landlords use

Not every landlord runs credit. Some use rental history verification — they call your previous landlords to confirm you paid rent on time and did not damage the unit. Others request recent bank statements to show you have enough money to cover rent. Some verify employment directly with your employer rather than relying on a credit score. A few use a combination: credit check plus income verification plus a reference call.

If a landlord does not mention credit, ask what they do use to screen tenants. This tells you whether your low score will even come up. Many landlords in smaller buildings or less competitive markets have never pulled a credit report in their life — they rent based on a conversation, a reference, and a handshake.

What happens if you are rejected for a low credit score

If a landlord rejects you based on credit, they must provide a written reason under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The notice will name the consumer reporting agency they used and give you contact information. You have the right to request a free copy of the report they saw and to dispute any errors on it directly with that agency.

Rejection does not mean you cannot rent. It means that particular landlord has a policy you do not meet. Move on to the next one. Keep a list of landlords who do not require credit or who accept co-signers. explore to multiple places at once — the more applications you submit, the higher the chance one landlord will say yes. Each credit check costs a few dollars and shows up on your report, so avoid explore to dozens of places, but explore to five or six is normal and expected.

How to improve your credit score before apartment hunting

If you have time before you need to move, you can raise your score. Pay all bills on time for the next few months — this is the single most visible change on a credit report. If you have old collections accounts, contact the creditor and ask about a settlement or payment plan; some will remove the account from your report if you pay. Do not close old credit cards or take on new debt right before explore — both can lower your score temporarily.

Raising a score from 550 to 650 typically takes three to six months of on-time payments. Raising it from 650 to 700 takes longer. If you need to move sooner, do not wait — use the co-signer or deposit options instead. A landlord who accepts a co-signer will rent to you now rather than making you wait six months for your score to climb.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord reject me only because of my credit score?

Yes, if they have a written policy. However, they cannot reject you based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability — even if those factors correlate with credit. If you believe you were rejected for a protected reason, you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Does a credit check hurt my credit score?

A rental credit check is a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points. Multiple inquiries in a short time (within 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) usually count as one inquiry. explore to several apartments in the same week is better than spreading applications over a month.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

An eviction is the hardest thing to overcome on a rental process. Some landlords will not rent to anyone with an eviction, ever. Others will rent if the eviction is old (five or more years) and you can show stable housing and on-time payments since. A co-signer or larger deposit may help. Focus on landlords who explicitly state they consider older evictions or who do not use credit checks.

Can I rent an apartment without a credit check?

Yes. Some landlords do not pull credit at all — they screen by income, employment, and references. Small private landlords, owner-occupied buildings, and some nonprofit housing programs are more likely to skip credit checks. Ask directly before you explore.

Do I have to pay for a credit check?

No. The landlord or their screening company pays for the credit check. If someone asks you to pay upfront for a credit check or background check, it is a scam. Legitimate landlords cover screening costs and deduct them from your deposit or include them in the process fee, if any.