What credit score is needed for an apartment?

Asked by: Dr. Lew Roob DDS  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (54 votes)

Typically, tenants need a credit score of 650 or higher. If you have a score of 500, we recommend that you co-sign with someone with higher credit or apply for no credit check apartments.

What is the minimum credit score for an apartment?

While a FICO credit score from 580-669 is considered fair credit, 620 is often the minimum credit score you'll need to rent an apartment. If your score is lower than 620, it could be more difficult to rent an apartment.

Can I get an apartment with a 500 credit score?

In short, yes! A credit score of 500 is low, but it's not insurmountable. It would be best if you planned some extra time for your apartment hunt with scores this low, but you can still rent an apartment. ... With a low credit score in the 500 range, you should expect to pay slightly more for an apartment.

Can I get an apartment with a 580 credit score?

When you have bad credit, getting an apartment lease becomes difficult because landlords may be hesitant to lend you their property if they are concerned that you may not make your payments. But it also depends on how low on the scale your credit score is, as some landlords consider scores between 580-630 acceptable.

Can I get an apartment with a 600 credit score?

Your credit scores can influence whether you'll be approved for a rental lease, says Chris Fluegge, director of operations at the National Landlord Association. “Each landlord is different, but most landlords and property managers look for a credit score above 600,” Fluegge says.

Qualifying for an Apartment: Credit History Check

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Can I rent an apartment with a 586 credit score?

Landlords utilize credit scores to see if renters will be able to pay rent on time. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. With proof of income, a valid photo ID, and a good credit score, a renter should be able to apply for an apartment without difficulty.

Can I get an apartment with a 579 credit score?

If you have bad or poor credit — somewhere between 300 and 579 — it's not impossible to rent an apartment, it just might take a little more work on your part.

Do apartments check FICO score?

Most landlords use FICO credit scores to determine if an applicant qualifies for an apartment. The typical categories for those scores are: Exceptional: 800 to 850. Very Good: 740 to 799.

How can I build my credit fast?

How to Build Your Credit History Fast
  1. Apply for a Secured Credit Card. ...
  2. Get Someone to Cosign a Loan. ...
  3. Become an Authorized User. ...
  4. Automate Payments. ...
  5. Pay Off Credit Card Balances. ...
  6. Only Apply for Loans or Cards You Need. ...
  7. Increase Your Credit Limits. ...
  8. Check Your Credit Report for Errors.

Is it hard to get approved for an apartment?

In terms of the minimum credit score required to rent an apartment, there's no hard-and-fast requirements as things can vary by landlord and locale. ... Renters in major cities and in high-end units have higher credit scores on average.

Can I get an apartment with a 540 credit score?

The credit score you need to rent an apartment is at the discretion of the landlord. The majority want a score of 620, but some landlords will go as low as 540 -- again, it all depends on the landlord. If a landlord does make an exception, she may charge a higher deposit for allowing your application to pass through.

Can I rent an apartment with a 590 credit score?

Most individuals or companies renting an apartment want credit scores from applicants to be 620 or higher. People with credit scores lower than 620 may indicate they are a high risk renter.

Can I get an apartment with 530 credit score?

There's no universal standard for the minimum credit score needed to rent an apartment, but according to a recent tenant screening study, rental applicants approved in 2017 had an average credit score of 650.

How much rent I can afford?

Most experts recommend that you shouldn't spend more than 30 percent of your gross monthly income on rent. Your total living expenses (rent, utilities, groceries and other essentials) should be less than 50 percent of your net monthly household income.

How do I get an apartment I want?

How to Be a Dream Tenant and Snag Any Rental You Choose
  1. Prepare for the Apartment Viewing Process. ...
  2. Get A Solid Credit Score. ...
  3. Come Prepared to Rent. ...
  4. Control Your Viewing Group. ...
  5. Clean Up Your Pet Situation. ...
  6. Learn Move-In Etiquette. ...
  7. Pay Rent. ...
  8. Do Not Force Other Tenants to Leave.

Is 699 a good credit score?

A 699 FICO® Score is Good, but by raising your score into the Very Good range, you could qualify for lower interest rates and better borrowing terms. A great way to get started is to get your free credit report from Experian and check your credit score to find out the specific factors that impact your score the most.

What kind of bills build credit?

What Bills Affect Credit Score?
  • Rent payments.
  • Utility bills.
  • Cable, internet or cellphone bills.
  • Insurance payments.
  • Car payments.
  • Mortgage payments.
  • Student loan payments.
  • Credit card payments.

Does paying cell phone build credit?

Will paying my phone bill build credit? The short answer: No, paying your phone bill will not help you build up credit. Phone bills for service and usage are not usually reported to major credit bureaus, so you won't build credit when paying these month to month.

How do you hack your credit score?

Credit Score Hacks to a Higher Score
  1. Ask nicely, and piggyback off of someone else's good credit. ...
  2. Increase your credit card limits. ...
  3. Make 'micropayments' ...
  4. Ask your landlord to report your rent payments to credit bureaus. ...
  5. Be a watchdog.

Which credit score is most important?

Your Credit Score Is The Most Important Score You Should Know
  • Payment History – this is the most important and accounts for 35% of your FICO 8 Score. ...
  • Credit Usage – the amount of credit you are using accounts for 30% of your credit score. ...
  • Length of Credit History – A long credit history accounts for 15% of your Score.

Do landlords look at Equifax or TransUnion?

There are three different credit bureaus a landlord may use to run a credit check -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit bureaus may report different information and a landlord can use any or all of the bureaus to get an idea of credit worthiness and financial management.

What is a FICO score 8?

FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score. There are also industry-specific versions of credit scores that businesses use. For example, the FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the most widely used score when you apply for a new credit card or a credit-limit increase. 1.

Can I rent a house with a 530 credit score?

Is Bad Credit an Automatic Rejection? By most landlords' standards, the minimum credit score to rent an apartment is 620. But many landlords look past the credit score and search for specific activity on a potential tenant's credit report.

Is 670 a good credit score to rent an apartment?

Depending on the individual lender or insurer, you may see different standards, but generally a FICO score above 800 is considered excellent; “very good” FICO scores range from 740 to 799; a “good” score ranges from 670 to 739; and 580–669 is considered “fair.” Any score below 580 is considered poor.

Does Credit Karma show your real credit score?

Credit Karma isn't a credit bureau, which means we don't determine your credit scores. Instead, we work with Equifax and TransUnion to provide you with your free credit reports and free credit scores, which are based on the VantageScore 3.0 credit score model.