A rental application often includes a credit check. Knowing what’s reviewed, and your rights if you’re declined, helps you apply with confidence.
The essentials
- Many landlords use tenant screening reports that combine credit, rental and sometimes eviction history.
- Screening companies are covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, so you can see and dispute what they report.
- If you’re denied because of a report, the landlord must tell you which company supplied it.
- You’re entitled to a free copy of that report if you ask within 60 days.
When you apply for an apartment, the landlord wants to know whether you’re likely to pay rent on time. A credit report is one of the main tools they use.
What landlords look at
| Information | Why it matters to a landlord |
|---|---|
| Payment history | Shows whether you pay bills on time |
| Outstanding debts | Suggests how much of your income is already committed |
| Collections | May signal unpaid bills, including past rent |
| Rental history and evictions | Included in some screening reports |
| Identity details | Confirms you are who you say you are |
Some landlords also set an income requirement, such as rent being no more than a certain share of your gross income.
Tenant screening reports
Many landlords use tenant screening companies rather than pulling a credit report directly. These companies are consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. That gives you rights:
- the information they report must be accurate
- you can dispute errors with the company
- you can request your own file
If you’re turned down
If a landlord denies your application, charges a higher deposit or adds conditions because of a report, it must give you an adverse action notice. The notice tells you which company supplied the report and that you can get a free copy within 60 days and dispute anything inaccurate.
Smart move
Check your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com before you start apartment hunting. Fixing an error takes time, and it’s easier before you’ve lost a place you wanted.
Preparing to apply
- Review your credit reports using our guide to reading a credit report.
- Lift any credit freeze with the bureau the screening company uses.
- Gather proof of income and references from past landlords.
- If your credit is thin, offer a guarantor or ask about alternatives.
Watch for this
Be cautious of listings that ask for a deposit or application fee before you’ve seen the property or signed anything. Rental scams often use this tactic.
Applying with confidence
A credit check is only part of a rental decision. A clean report, steady income and good references give you the strongest application, and if something goes wrong, the adverse action notice tells you where to look.
Questions and answers
Does a landlord’s credit check hurt my score?
Tenant screening checks are often soft inquiries, but some show as hard inquiries. Ask the landlord or screening company if you’re applying to several places.
Can a landlord charge me for the credit check?
Many charge an application fee, and some states limit it. Ask what the fee covers before you pay.
What if I don’t have much credit history?
Some landlords accept a larger deposit, a guarantor or proof of income and rental references instead.
This article is general information and isn’t financial or legal advice. Card terms, fees and rules change, so check the issuer’s current terms and official sources such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission before you decide.