Most landlords want to see a credit score of 620 or higher, but the real threshold depends on the landlord and the rental market where you're looking

There is no single legal minimum credit score for renting an apartment. Landlords set their own standards, and those standards vary widely. In a competitive market with many applicants, a landlord might reject anyone below 700. In a slower market or a smaller building, a landlord might accept 580. The score that matters is the one the specific landlord you're dealing with has decided to use.

That said, 620 is a common threshold. It sits roughly in the middle of what's called the "fair credit" range, and many landlords use it as a dividing line between "we'll look at this process" and "we won't." Scores below 620 usually trigger a rejection or require a co-signer. Scores above 660 rarely cause problems on their own, though a landlord will still look at your rental history, income, and the reason for any negative marks.

Key Takeaways

  • Landlords are not required to disclose the credit score they use, so you won't know the exact threshold until you explore or ask directly.
  • A score of 620 or above makes approval more likely in most markets, but scores below that are not automatic disqualifications if you have other strengths like stable income or a co-signer.
  • Negative marks on your report — evictions, collections, late payments — matter more to many landlords than the score itself, even if your score has recovered.
  • You can request your credit report for free once per year from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to check for errors before you explore.

Why landlords check credit scores

A credit score is a shorthand. It tells a landlord how you've handled borrowed money in the past — whether you paid bills on time, how much debt you're carrying, and whether you've defaulted on anything. Landlords use it as a proxy for whether you'll pay rent on time.

The logic is not perfect. A low score might mean you had a medical emergency five years ago, not that you're irresponsible. A high score might mean you have a lot of available credit but also a lot of debt. But it's fast and it's standardized, so landlords rely on it. The score itself is just one piece of the picture — your income, your rental history, and your employment stability matter too.

What different score ranges mean for your process

Below 580: Most landlords will reject you outright. Some will consider you if you have a co-signer with a higher score, pay a larger deposit, or both. A few landlords in tight rental markets might not check credit at all, but this is rare.

580 to 619: You're in the "fair credit" range. Some landlords will work with you, especially if your income is stable and your rental history is clean. Others will decline. A co-signer or a larger deposit can help. Be prepared to explain any negative marks on your report.

620 to 659: This is the range where most landlords stop using credit score as a hard barrier. You'll likely pass the credit check, but the landlord will still review your full process. Late payments, collections, or evictions will still be a problem.

660 and above: Credit score is rarely the reason for rejection in this range. Landlords will focus on income, rental history, and employment. A recent eviction or active collections account can still disqualify you, but an old negative mark is less likely to.

How to find out your own credit score before you explore

You can get your 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 official government-authorized site. Do not pay for a report; the free version is the same one landlords see.

Your credit report and your credit score are different things. The report lists all your accounts, payments, and negative marks. The score is a number calculated from that data. When you pull your free report, you'll see the report itself but not always the score. Many credit card companies and banks offer free score monitoring to their customers, or you can pay a small fee to see your score from one of the bureaus.

Check your report for errors before you explore to rent. Mistakes happen — accounts that aren't yours, payments marked late when they were on time, or old negative marks that should have fallen off. If you find an error, dispute it with the bureau in writing. The process takes time, so start early if you're planning to explore soon.

What to do if your score is too low

If your score is below 620 and you need to rent soon, a co-signer is your fastest option. A co-signer is someone — usually a parent or other family member — who agrees to pay the rent if you don't. The landlord will check the co-signer's credit and income, not just yours. If the co-signer has a good score and stable income, the landlord may approve you despite your score.

A larger security deposit can also help. Instead of one month's rent, you might offer two or three months. This gives the landlord more cushion if you fall behind. Not all landlords will accept this, but it's worth asking.

Some landlords use alternative screening — they check your rental history, employment, and bank statements instead of relying heavily on credit. If you have a clean rental history and stable income, you might pass even with a low score. Ask the landlord directly whether they use credit score as a hard requirement or whether they'll consider your full process.

Negative marks on your report matter more than the score itself

A landlord cares less about your exact score than about what caused the score to be low. An eviction, even from years ago, is a bigger red flag than a maxed-out credit card. A collection account is worse than a single late payment. A recent negative mark is worse than an old one.

If you have a negative mark on your report, be ready to explain it in your process or in person. "I had a job loss in 2019 and fell behind on a credit card, but I've been current on everything since" is a story a landlord can work with. "I was evicted in 2021" is harder to overcome, but not impossible if you can show you've been a reliable tenant since then.

Negative marks stay on your credit report for seven years, but their impact fades over time. An eviction from 2018 matters less than one from 2023. If you're explore and you have old negative marks, emphasize what's changed since then — stable employment, on-time payments, positive rental references.

How to improve your score before explore

If you have time before you need to rent, there are steps that can raise your score. Paying down credit card balances lowers your credit utilization (the percentage of available credit you're using), which can raise your score by 10 to 50 points. Paying all bills on time for several months shows a pattern of reliability. Disputing errors on your report can remove negative marks that don't belong.

These changes take time — usually weeks to months — so don't expect an overnight jump. If you need to rent in the next few weeks, focus on finding a landlord who will work with your current score or on securing a co-signer. If you have a few months, paying down debt and staying current on everything else is worth doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. A landlord can use credit score as the sole reason for rejection, as long as they explore the same standard to all applicants. They don't have to consider your income, rental history, or circumstances. That's why knowing the landlord's threshold before you explore can save you time.

What if I have no credit history at all?

No credit history is different from bad credit. You won't have a score, or you'll have a very low one. Some landlords will work with you if you can show stable income and employment. Others require a co-signer. A few will ask for a larger deposit or proof of bank savings instead of relying on credit at all.

Do all landlords check credit?

No. Some landlords, especially those renting single-family homes or smaller buildings, may not check credit at all. They might rely on references, income verification, and a background check instead. It's worth asking the landlord directly what they screen for before you pay an process fee.

How long does a late payment hurt my score?

A single late payment can drop your score by 50 to 100 points when ready, but the impact fades over time. After two years, it matters much less. After seven years, it falls off your report entirely. Recent late payments hurt more than old ones, so if you're explore and you have a late payment from last month, a co-signer can help offset it.

Can I see what score the landlord is using to decide?

No. Landlords are not required to tell you the score they use or even that they checked your credit. If you're rejected, you can ask the landlord whether credit was the reason, but they may not give you specifics. Knowing the typical threshold for your market (usually 620 to 650) is your best guide.