For many landlords and property managers, your credit score is a quick way to gauge how reliably you’ve paid bills in the past and how much financial risk you might pose as a tenant.
If you’re wondering whether your scores are good enough to get approved — or what to do if it’s not — it’s important to first understand how landlords use credit checks when you apply for a rental.
As a credit expert and former NFCC-certified credit counselor, I’ve learned there’s a lot more flexibility in this area than you would expect.
Some landlords might hesitate to accept your application if your FICO scores are below 670. However, each has its own requirements. Further, there are a variety of steps you can take to get approved, even if your credit scores are low or you have no credit at all.
Many landlords review your credit scores as part of the tenant screening process. If your scores are low, they may take a closer look at your credit reports to see if there are specific red flags, such as:
Unfortunately, one survey found that having an eviction on record makes you 84% more likely than other applicants to be denied a rental unit. However, if you’ve had any of these other financial issues in the last couple of years, your credit history could be a problem when it comes to getting approved for new housing.
That said, property managers and landlords also weigh other factors to decide if you’re an eligible tenant. This includes things like your criminal records, history of employment, and income level.
The higher your credit scores are, the easier it is to get approved for apartments and rental homes. There’s no one single score that guarantees approval, but according to FICO, a 670 or higher (out of 850) is generally considered a good credit score.
If your scores are lower than that threshold, your credit might be screened a little more closely than other applicants, and you may need to find other ways to show the property manager proof that you’re a trustworthy tenant.
I’ve worked with dozens of people who were turned away from rental opportunities due to no credit or bad credit. My advice is always the same: Get creative. In other words, find other ways to show the landlord you’re financially stable, and you can be trusted to pay your rent each month.
Here are some tried-and-true ways you can approach the application process if your credit isn’t in the best condition to qualify for a rental unit.
Find a private landlord
Large property management companies are more likely to have strict qualification requirements. If you go to a private renter instead, you can make a personal connection. A private renter is more likely to consider non-credit factors as well, such as a personal referral or a high balance in your savings account.
You can sweeten the deal by showing the landlord your willingness to move quickly. While other renters may take days to complete their applications after viewing the unit, be prepared to fill yours out on the spot.
Then, go one step further: Instead of waiting 30 or more days to move in, offer to move in ASAP. This prevents the landlord from losing out on a month’s worth of rent or more while in between tenants, which makes you a more attractive applicant.
According to FICO, one of the few differences between qualifying for an apartment versus a house is the credit score requirement. Typically, you can qualify for a rental apartment with lower credit scores than you can with a house.
Bringing another person into the equation can help you qualify for a rental. If your credit is poor, try applying with a roommate who has better credit scores than you.
Alternatively, see if a loved one is willing to step in as a co-signer on your lease. Just make sure they understand that being a co-signer is a big responsibility. If you fail to make your rent payments, the cosigner could see their credit damaged and be held responsible for the unpaid bills.
You might be surprised how flexible landlords are when you offer to pay more money up front. If your credit is a problem, one option is to offer more money than what’s required for your rental deposit.
Or, if you’re required to pay first and last month’s rent up front, offer to add one or two extra months to the check. For example, if rent is $1,000 a month, and you’re required to pay $2,000 in order to move in, offer to pay $3,000 or even $4,000 so that one or two months’ worth of extra rent are covered in advance.
I’ve used this trick myself as a way to negotiate lower rent. For my last rental apartment, I was able to reduce rent by $300 a month in return for paying not just first and last month’s rent, but also adding two additional months’ worth of payment to the check.
Use additional, non-required documents to show the landlord that you’re the ideal tenant. This might include:
Referral letters from former landlords
Bank statements showing you have a high savings balance
Pay stubs showing you have ample income in comparison to the rent
If you can get a referral letter from a past landlord, make sure it states your length of history with on-time payments. Only about 2% of landlords look at prior rent history during the screening process, so showing them that you have several years of on-time payments can make you a stand-out applicant.
Read more: How to get rent payments included in your credit score
Before spinning your wheels, ask the landlord what alternative ways you can qualify. Suggest the items from the list above and see which one(s) would be most meaningful to them. That way, you can ensure you’re putting your effort into the proof that means the most to the landlord.
Read more: 10 tips to improve your credit score in 2026
