A bad credit score is typically 579 or lower on the 300–850 FICO scale, though "bad" depends on which lender you're dealing with and what you're trying to do

Credit scores fall into ranges, and different lenders draw the line differently. Most banks and mortgage companies treat scores below 580 as high-risk. Credit card companies might reject you at 600. Landlords often have their own thresholds — some won't rent to anyone below 650, others will work with scores in the 500s if you have a co-signer or pay a larger deposit.

The score itself is a three-digit number that lenders use to predict whether you'll pay them back. It's built from your payment history, how much debt you're carrying, how long you've had credit accounts open, and a few other factors. A low score doesn't mean you're a bad person; it means your credit report shows patterns that worry lenders — missed payments, high balances, collections accounts, or a short credit history.

What matters for housing is that landlords pull your credit report before signing a lease, and a low score can cost you the apartment. Some landlords will reject you outright. Others will demand a co-signer, a larger security deposit, or proof of income well above the rent. Understanding where your score sits and what it means for your options is the first step to moving forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Scores below 580 are generally considered bad by most lenders, though landlords may have different cutoffs depending on the rental market in your area.
  • A low credit score can result in a landlord rejecting your application, asking for a co-signer, or requiring a larger security deposit.
  • Your credit score is built from payment history, outstanding debt, length of credit history, and other factors — not from income or employment.
  • You can request a free copy of your credit report once per year from each of the three major bureaus to see what's actually affecting your score.
  • Even with a low score, you have options: finding a landlord who accepts lower scores, offering a co-signer, or paying a larger upfront deposit.

How lenders and landlords define "bad" differently

There is no single official definition of a bad credit score. The FICO score range is 300 to 850, and most financial institutions use these rough categories: 300–579 is poor, 580–669 is fair, 670–739 is good, 740–799 is very good, and 800–850 is excellent. But those are guidelines, not rules.

A mortgage lender might refuse anyone below 620. A credit card company might approve someone at 650 but charge them a higher interest rate. A landlord in a competitive market might only consider scores above 700, while a landlord in a slower market might accept 550 if you have other strengths — steady income, references from previous landlords, or a co-signer with good credit.

The practical reality is that your score matters most in competitive rental markets where landlords have many applicants to choose from. In tighter markets or with independent landlords, other factors — your income, employment history, and references — may outweigh a lower score.

What causes a low credit score

Credit scores are built from five main components. Payment history makes up about 35 percent of your score — missed payments, late payments, and accounts sent to collections all damage it. The amount of debt you're carrying (your credit utilization) accounts for about 30 percent; if you're using most of your available credit, your score drops. The length of your credit history is about 15 percent; a longer history of on-time payments helps. The mix of credit types you have (credit cards, loans, mortgages) is about 10 percent. New credit inquiries and recent accounts make up the final 10 percent.

A single missed payment can lower your score by 100 points or more, depending on how recent it is and how high your score was to begin with. Collections accounts, charge-offs, and evictions stay on your report for seven years. Bankruptcy stays for seven to ten years. These serious marks are what push scores into the "bad" range and keep them there.

You might also have a low score simply because you don't have much credit history yet — you're young, new to the country, or you've never borrowed money. A thin credit file can score lower than an active one, even if you've never missed a payment.

How a bad credit score affects your housing search

When you apply for an apartment, most landlords run a credit check. They're looking for red flags: unpaid debts, evictions, collections accounts, or a pattern of late payments. A low score signals risk to them, even if your current situation has improved.

The consequences vary. Some landlords will deny your application outright. Others will approve you but require a larger security deposit — sometimes double or triple the standard amount. Some will ask for a co-signer: a person with better credit who agrees to pay the rent if you don't. A few will require proof of income significantly higher than the rent (often three to four times the monthly rent) to offset the credit risk.

In some states and cities, landlords' use of credit scores is regulated. California, for example, limits how much weight a landlord can give to old negative marks. New York requires landlords to consider your whole application, not just your score. But in most places, landlords have broad discretion to use credit scores however they want, as long as they apply the same standard to all applicants.

How to find out what your actual score is

You're may have access to to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can request all three at once at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the bureaus themselves. The report shows your payment history, outstanding debts, and accounts in collections — everything that goes into your score.

The free report does not include your actual credit score number. To see your FICO score, you'll need to pay for it (usually $10 to $20) or find a free score through a credit card company or financial website. Many credit card issuers and banks now offer free score monitoring to their customers. Keep in mind that different scoring models exist — FICO is the most common, but VantageScore is another — and your score may vary slightly depending on which model is used.

When you get your report, read it carefully. Look for accounts you don't recognize, payments marked as late that you made on time, or old debts that should have fallen off. Errors happen, and you can dispute them with the bureau. Correcting a mistake can raise your score.

Options if your credit score is low

A low score doesn't lock you out of housing. You have several paths forward. First, look for landlords who are known to accept lower scores — independent landlords, smaller properties, and landlords in less competitive markets are often more flexible than large management companies. Online reviews and tenant forums sometimes mention which landlords in your area are willing to work with lower scores.

Second, offer a co-signer: a family member or friend with better credit who agrees to be responsible for the rent if you can't pay. A co-signer with a score above 650 can often offset your lower score. Third, offer a larger security deposit upfront. If the standard deposit is one month's rent, offering two or three months shows you're serious and gives the landlord extra protection.

Fourth, provide strong references from previous landlords or employers. If you've rented before and paid on time, a letter from that landlord can matter more than your score. Fifth, show proof of stable income — recent pay stubs, a job offer letter, or tax returns — to demonstrate you can afford the rent regardless of your credit history.

Finally, consider whether you can improve your score before applying. Paying down high credit card balances can raise your score in weeks. Disputing errors on your report can raise it faster. If you have time before you need to move, spending a few months improving your score can open up better rental options and lower costs.

The difference between your credit score and your rental history

Your credit score and your rental history are separate things, though landlords look at both. Your credit score reflects how you've handled credit accounts — credit cards, loans, mortgages. Your rental history reflects whether you've paid rent on time, kept the property in good condition, and followed lease terms.

You can have a low credit score but an excellent rental history if you've always paid rent on time but struggled with credit cards or medical debt. In that case, a reference letter from a previous landlord can carry significant weight. Conversely, you can have a good credit score but a poor rental history if you've paid your credit cards on time but been late with rent or had an eviction.

Landlords care most about whether you'll pay rent. If your credit score is low but your rental history is clean, emphasize that in your application. If your rental history is short or nonexistent, a good credit score becomes more important, and a co-signer becomes more valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a landlord definitely reject me if my score is below 600?

Not necessarily. Many landlords have different thresholds, and some will work with scores below 600 if you have other strengths — a co-signer, a larger deposit, strong income, or excellent rental references. Rejection depends on the landlord's policy, the rental market in your area, and how many other applicants they have.

How long does a bad mark stay on my credit report?

Late payments stay for seven years. Collections accounts, charge-offs, and most negative marks also stay for seven years. Bankruptcy stays for seven to ten years depending on the type. After seven years, the mark falls off automatically, though older marks have less impact on your score than recent ones.

Can I improve my credit score quickly before applying for an apartment?

Some improvements happen fast. Paying down high credit card balances can raise your score within weeks because it lowers your credit utilization. Disputing errors on your report can raise it faster if the bureau agrees the error is wrong. However, building a strong score from a very low one typically takes months or years of on-time payments.

What should I do if I see an error on my credit report?

Contact the credit bureau that issued the report and file a dispute. You can do this online, by mail, or by phone. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the item if it's inaccurate. You can also contact the company that reported the error (your bank, credit card issuer, or creditor) and ask them to correct it.

Does checking my own credit score hurt my score?

No. Checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and doesn't affect it. Only "hard inquiries" — when a lender checks your credit because you've applied for credit — can lower your score slightly. Landlords' credit checks are hard inquiries, but checking your own score through annualcreditreport.com or a credit monitoring service has no impact.