What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment?

If you’re thinking about getting your first apartment, you might not know that many landlords or leasing offices opt to run a credit check to get a sense of whether they can expect you to pay your rent on time and in full. This means that your credit score can play a role in determining your ability to rent the apartment of your dreams – especially if you’re looking to rent in a competitive real estate market like Boston, San Francisco, or Seattle. 

But what’s the best credit score range to rent an apartment? And what can you do if you have a subpar credit score – or no credit history at all?

A minimum credit score of 650 is a common benchmark for landlords and leasing agencies.¹ However, this varies considerably from location to location. Typically, renters in high-demand areas can benefit from having a higher credit score, but each landlord or property management company will have their own criteria in place. But it’s usually the case that the higher your credit score, the better your chances of approval.

Your credit score can affect the likelihood of being approved for an apartment because the higher your score, the lower your risk profile. Your history of on-time credit payments, for example, makes up a large portion of your credit score – signaling to landlords that you’ll pay your rent on time, too. 

But your credit score is often just a starting point for landlords. They also might obtain your credit report to get a glimpse into your debts and any past bankruptcy, or check your income, for example. Having defaulted accounts or debts in collection can make it more challenging to rent an apartment as well.

If your potential landlord is planning to check your credit score, they’ll likely make an inquiry with one of the three main credit bureaus, and you may have to pay a fee. Of course, if you've had your credit is frozen, you’ll have to unfreeze it first. To learn how, read “How to Unfreeze Credit for Free.”

And take note: Each time someone runs a hard credit check, you might see your credit score dip. This means that applying for multiple apartments – all with landlords who check your credit – will likely have a temporary negative impact on your credit score, so applying for fewer places may be healthier for your credit report.

It’s possible to rent your first apartment even if you have no credit (or if you have poor credit), but you might have to adjust your expectations or put in a little extra work. Here are a few ways you may be able to increase your chances of approval:

• Get a roommate. Signing a lease with another person spreads the burden of responsibility and can improve your chances of approval – as long as your roommate is financially responsible and has a strong credit history. Splitting rent can also be cost-effective. Note that not all rentals allow roommates, however, so be sure to check the criteria first.
• Use a cosigner. If you’re struggling to get approved due to your limited credit history you could consider asking a close friend or family member to cosign the lease as an added layer of assurance. Once again, your cosigner should have a strong credit history as well.
• Pay extra. If you have limited credit but a lot of savings, making a larger security deposit or paying a few months of rent in advance may give the landlord peace of mind.
• Provide references. Letters of recommendation from reliable sources like employers and business associates can help demonstrate your credibility. Similarly, proof of employment – like pay stubs that go back several months – can show you have a source of steady income.
• Tweak your expectations. If you’re having trouble getting an apartment with no or low credit, you could also try looking for options in a lower price range.
• Build your credit. Building your credit can take time, but good credit can be necessary for achieving certain financial goals like renting an apartment. Fortunately, there are many ways to build your credit.

While they can be important, it’s worth noting that credit scores and credit history aren’t always crucial for renting an apartment. In places with lower demand for rentals, you might find that some landlords are more lenient. However, renting an apartment in a high-demand area means that your credit scores – and other factors – will most likely play a major role in your apartment-renting process.