How To Get Apartment With Bad Credit: Tips That Can Help

Many landlords have strict qualifications that can make it tough to get approved for a unit. The good news is you don’t have to let a poor credit score prevent you from finding a place to live.

Key Takeaways

• Bad credit doesn't disqualify you from renting, but you'll likely need to target private landlords, suburban properties or rentals that allow subletting since corporate managers often require scores of 620 or higher.

• Landlords weigh more than credit — income at least three times your rent, steady pay stubs, solid rental history and personal references can outweigh a low score.

• Strengthen your application now by writing a letter explaining past credit issues, offering a larger deposit, lining up a co-signer and gathering proof of income before you apply.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Can You Get an Apartment With Bad Credit?

Yes, you can get an apartment with bad credit. But you’ll need to identify the landlords most likely to approve you and have a plan for emphasizing the non-credit aspects of your application.

Here are four tried-and-true paths toward getting an apartment with bad credit.

1. Target a privately owned property: Whereas corporate-owned apartment managers must follow strict rules, private owners might overlook a low credit score in favor of high income and a proven history of paying rent on time.

2. Clean up your credit before you apply: Bad credit from an issue you’ve since resolved is less damaging to your rental application than having accounts currently past-due and/or in collections.

3. Get a co-signer or guarantor: Having someone with good or excellent credit and high income accept responsibility for paying the rent can help you get approved.

4. Sublet or rent with a roommate: If a landlord allows the primary tenant to sublease rooms, you can rent from the roommate without a credit check. Or, consider asking the roommate to co-sign.

Minimum Credit Score To Rent an Apartment in the U.S.

There’s no universal minimum credit score to rent an apartment – every landlord sets their own requirements.

The following table shows sample credit requirements for different types of rentals and what you can do if your score falls short.

What Else Do Landlords Check Besides Credit?

Landlords rely on factors other than credit to get a fuller picture of a tenant’s suitability.

• Income: Your income should be at least three times your rent.

• Proof of income and reserves: The landlord might ask for proof of steady income, such as pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, checking account statements and/or tax returns. They might also ask to see proof of cash reserves.

• Rental history and evictions: A documented history of on-time rent payments and meticulous care of apartments you’ve rented is even more important than credit in some landlords’ eyes.

• References: A vote of confidence from responsible adults who know you personally can help sway a landlord who’s on the fence.

Ways To Get Approved Fast: Top Options

How much bad credit counts against you often depends on who you rent from. The following table shows what different types of landlords look at when they consider your application and ways to prove your suitability as a tenant.

How To Rent an Apartment With Bad Credit: 9-Step Plan

Renting an apartment with bad credit starts with planning and persistence. Here are the steps to take to get approved.

1. Be Honest

Write a letter of explanation that covers the following:

• Past or current credit issues

• How and why they occurred

• What you’ve done to resolve the issues and prevent credit problems in the future

Such a letter helps the landlord see beyond your credit score.

2. Rectify Credit Issues

Order your and check for errors and outdated information. Also, identify ongoing credit issues and make a plan to correct them so you can show the landlord that you’re ready to start a new chapter.

👉 Be cautious of shortcuts like a CPN number, which can create legal and financial problems instead of helping your credit.

MoneyLion offers a free and convenient way to find offers from our trusted partners to help you improve your credit — such as credit monitoring, credit report disputes, and getting credit by paying bills. A good credit score can help with getting approved on a rental application. 

3. Offer a Larger Deposit

Ask the landlord if they’re willing to accept a higher security deposit or prepaid rent, if state law allows. This helps minimize their financial losses if you break the lease.

4. Try Private Landlords

Some private landlords might overlook credit issues if you show proof of steady income and a positive rental history.

5. Move Outside of the City

Apartments in prime city locations tend to be more selective. Demand for apartments in the city’s outskirts and suburbs may not be as high, and you can find properties that are easier to get approved for.

6. Get a Roommate

If you choose a reliable roommate who can apply for the lease, your credit score may not be an issue.

7. Get a Co-Signer or Guarantor

Do you have a close friend or relative with pristine credit? Ask them to co-sign or guarantee the lease.

8. Provide Reference Letters

Contact past landlords and ask that they write reference letters on your behalf. The letters should state that you made timely payments and left the apartment in good condition.

If they won’t write letters, ask for your payment history so you can prove you paid on time.

9. Hunt for Rentals That Don’t Require a Credit Check

You’re most likely to find these properties in smaller towns or suburbs. Start by requesting referrals from friends, family members, past landlords or neighbors.

Application Packet Checklist

It might be helpful to have an application packet on hand with the information and documents you’ll need when you fill out applications. Your organization and preparation might even impress the landlord.

Here’s what to include:

• List of important information, such as Social Security number, past addresses and employer’s contact information

• Government-issued photo ID

• Proof of income

• Letters of recommendation

• Contact information for your co-signer or guarantor, if applicable

If You’re Denied, Do This Next

Being denied an apartment is disappointing, but don’t give up hope that you’ll find a new apartment to call home.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires landlords to give you a reason for their denial if they used a credit report or other tenant screening report in their decision.

Request a copy of the report, and use it as a guide for improving your credit. For example, you might create a plan to bring past-due accounts current, pay off collection accounts or pay down high debt.

In the meantime, avoid closing accounts and taking on new debt.

How To Improve Your Credit Before Applying

Here’s a 90-day plan to improve your credit and get your finances back on track.

Next 30 Days

Use the next 30 days to get organized.

• List your debts in order from highest to lowest interest rate.

• Total up your total credit limits and your total debt. Divide the debt amount by your credit limits to find your debt-to-credit ratio, also called your credit utilization rate.

• Set up automated payments to ensure on-time bill payments.

If you’ve never had credit, you’ll need to start establishing a credit history.

• Sign up with a company that reports rent, utility payments and other bills to the credit bureaus.

• Become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card, but only if they keep their balances low and pay their bills on time – otherwise, this strategy can damage your credit.

👉 Building positive payment history can also help when applying for things like a cell phone with bad credit.

30 to 60 Days

• If you’re establishing credit for the first time: Consider taking out a credit-builder loan. Enroll in auto-pay to avoid missed payments.

• If you’re repairing your credit: Prepare a budget that accounts for your income and spending. Cut unnecessary expenses. Then create a debt repayment plan to reduce your credit utilization rate to 30% or less, starting with the high-interest debt.

60 to 90 Days

Your next priority should be protecting your improving credit. Building an emergency fund is a good way to do it because it keeps you from having to go into debt to cover unexpected expenses.

Final Take

• Landlords prefer tenants with good credit score, which means 670 or higher.

• Renting with a lower score usually requires extra conditions, such as a higher income.

• Private landlords and landlords outside of city centers might be flexible with credit requirements.

• You can take steps today that’ll improve your credit over time.

FAQ

Learn more about renting an apartment with bad credit.

Can I rent with a 500 credit score?

Possibly, but you’ll probably need a co-signer or guarantor.

Can I rent with no credit?

Some private landlords might rent to a tenant with no credit if they’re otherwise qualified and have a co-signer or guarantor.

Is tenant screening a hard inquiry?

Sometimes, but it’s most often a soft inquiry.

Do rent-reporting services help?

Yes, they help people with little or no credit build a payment history. But late rent payments will hurt your credit.

Can high income offset low credit?

In many cases, yes. High income proves an ability to pay.

Are guarantor services legit?

Yes, they’re legitimate, but their fees are based in part on your credit, so the service could be expensive if you have bad credit.

Key Terms

• Credit score: A three-digit number that shows how risky you may look to lenders and landlords based on your credit history.

• DTI ratio: Your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Landlords use it to see whether you can comfortably afford rent.

• Credit utilization ratio: The share of your available revolving credit you’re using. Lower utilization can help your credit score and strengthen your rental application.

• Co-signer: Someone who signs the lease with you and agrees to pay if you can’t.

• Security deposit: Money you pay upfront to help cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 2023. "What is a credit score?"

• Capital One. 2024. "Credit utilization ratio: What you need to know."

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 2024. "What should I do if my rental application is denied because of a tenant screening report?"

• Chase. "Pros and cons of being an authorized user on a credit card."

• Zillow. 2025. "Does Applying for an Apartment Hurt Your Credit?"

Alison Kimberly contributed to the reporting for this article.