Most landlords do not have a single credit score cutoff, but scores above 620 make approval more likely

There is no legal minimum credit score to rent an apartment. Landlords set their own standards, and those standards vary widely. A score of 620 or higher generally puts you in a better position, but some landlords accept scores in the 500s, and some require 700 or above. What matters more than the number itself is what the score represents: payment history, outstanding debt, and how recently you missed payments.

Landlords pull your credit report to see whether you have paid bills on time and how much debt you carry. A low score often signals recent missed payments or high debt relative to income, both of which concern landlords. But a landlord's decision rests on the full picture — your income, rental history, and references — not the credit score alone. You can be approved with a lower score if your income is stable and your references are strong.

Key Takeaways

  • Landlords do not use a single credit score threshold; they set their own standards, which typically range from 580 to 700 depending on the market and property type.
  • A credit score above 620 generally improves your chances, but landlords also weigh income, employment history, and rental references in their decision.
  • Recent missed payments hurt more than older ones, so a low score from years ago matters less than a recent late payment.
  • If your score is below what a landlord requires, you can ask about a co-signer, a larger deposit, or proof of income to offset the concern.
  • You have the right to know which credit bureau a landlord used and to dispute errors on your report before you explore to other apartments.

Why landlords check credit and what they are looking for

A credit report shows a landlord whether you have paid rent, utilities, credit cards, and loans on time. It also shows how much debt you carry and whether you have been sued or had an eviction filed against you. Landlords use this to predict whether you will pay rent on time and whether you pose a financial risk.

The credit score itself is a three-digit summary of that history. The most common score used in rental decisions is the FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850. Scores are built from five factors: payment history (35 percent), amounts owed (30 percent), length of credit history (15 percent), credit mix (10 percent), and new credit inquiries (10 percent). A landlord looking at your score is really asking: does this person have a track record of paying bills?

Landlords also look at the reason for a low score. A score of 580 caused by one missed payment two years ago looks different from a score of 580 caused by three missed payments in the last six months. Older negative marks carry less weight than recent ones.

Credit score ranges and what they typically mean for apartment approval

Credit scores fall into broad bands, and landlords often use these bands to make decisions. A score of 750 or above is considered excellent and rarely raises concerns. A score between 670 and 749 is good and usually acceptable to most landlords. A score between 580 and 669 is fair, and approval depends on other factors like income and references. A score below 580 is poor and makes approval harder, though not impossible.

In tight rental markets — where many people are competing for few apartments — landlords can afford to be selective and may require higher scores. In looser markets, landlords may be more flexible. A score of 650 might be rejected in San Francisco but approved in a smaller city. The type of property also matters: luxury apartments often have higher score requirements than smaller buildings or private landlords.

Some landlords use a different scoring model altogether. A few still use older credit scores or focus only on eviction history and recent payment patterns rather than the full credit report. Always ask what score range a landlord uses before you explore.

What to do if your credit score is lower than the landlord's requirement

If a landlord tells you your score is too low, you have several options. The first is to ask whether they will consider a co-signer — usually a parent or other adult with better credit who agrees to pay rent if you do not. A co-signer does not live in the apartment but signs the lease and is legally responsible for the rent. Many landlords accept a co-signer even when they would reject the tenant alone.

A second option is to offer a larger security deposit. Some landlords will approve a lower-score tenant in exchange for a deposit of one and a half or two months' rent instead of the standard one month. This gives the landlord more cushion if you miss a payment. Ask the landlord directly whether this is possible before you explore.

A third option is to provide proof of stable income. If you earn significantly more than the rent — typically three times the monthly rent — a landlord may overlook a lower score because your income makes it likely you can pay. Bring recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or tax returns to show this.

You can also ask to explain the low score in writing. If the score is low because of a medical debt, a job loss, or another specific event that has since resolved, a brief letter to the landlord can help. Some landlords are willing to move past an old problem if they understand the context.

How to check your own credit before you explore

You can pull your own credit report for free once per year from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — 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.

When you pull your report, look for errors. Mistakes are common: a payment marked late when you paid on time, a debt listed twice, or an account that is not yours. If you find an error, dispute it with the credit bureau in writing. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and correct it. Removing an error can raise your score by 50 to 100 points or more.

You can also check your credit score itself through many banks and credit card companies, which offer free score monitoring to their customers. The score you see may differ slightly from the score a landlord sees — landlords sometimes use a different version of the FICO score — but it gives you a ballpark sense of where you stand.

Your rights when a landlord checks your credit

A landlord must have your written permission before pulling your credit report. This permission is usually part of the rental process. You have the right to know which credit bureau the landlord used and to receive a copy of the report they saw.

If a landlord denies you based on credit, they must tell you so in writing and provide the name and contact information of the credit bureau they used. You then have the right to contact that bureau and dispute any errors. Some states require the landlord to give you a specific amount of time — often 30 days — to dispute the report before they make a final decision.

A landlord cannot use credit as a pretext to discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, disability, family status, or sex. If you believe you were denied because of discrimination rather than legitimate credit concerns, you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or your state's fair housing agency.

Building credit while you search for an apartment

If your score is low and you have time before you need to move, you can take steps to improve it. Paying down credit card balances lowers the amount of debt you carry, which can raise your score by 10 to 50 points. Paying all bills on time for the next few months shows a pattern of responsibility. Disputing errors on your report, as described above, can also help.

Do not open new credit accounts or explore for new credit cards right before you explore for an apartment. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Multiple inquiries in a short time can signal financial desperation to a landlord.

If you have no credit history at all — you have never had a credit card or loan — some landlords will still approve you if your income is stable and your references are strong. In this case, bring documentation of income and ask for a reference from a previous landlord or employer. A few landlords also accept alternative credit reports based on utility and phone bill payments rather than traditional credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be denied an apartment just because of my credit score?

A landlord can use credit score as one factor in their decision, but they must consider your full process. If they deny you based solely on credit without looking at income, references, or other factors, that may violate fair housing law. Ask the landlord in writing why you were denied and what factors they considered.

What if I have an eviction on my credit report?

An eviction is one of the hardest things to overcome when renting. Most landlords run background checks that show eviction history separately from credit reports. Some landlords will not rent to anyone with an eviction, while others will if enough time has passed or if you can explain what happened. Be honest about it and offer a co-signer or larger deposit if possible.

Does checking my own credit hurt my score?

No. Checking your own credit report and score is a soft inquiry and does not lower your score. Only hard inquiries — when a lender or landlord pulls your credit — affect your score, and even then the impact is small and temporary.

How long do negative marks stay on my credit report?

Late payments typically stay on your report for seven years. Evictions can stay for seven years as well. Bankruptcies stay for seven to ten years depending on the type. Older negative marks have less impact on your score than recent ones, so a late payment from five years ago matters less than one from last month.

Can a landlord require a specific credit score in writing?

Yes, and many do. A landlord can state in their rental criteria that they require a score of 650 or higher, for example. However, they must explore this standard consistently to all applicants and cannot use it as a cover for discrimination. If you meet the score but are still denied, ask why.