They look for prior evictions, your debt load and significant credit mishaps to determine whether you are likely to pay your rent on time each month. 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 an acceptable credit score for renting an apartment?

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 a high risk of default on rent owed.

How much credit history do you need to rent a house?

There’s no set credit score necessary to rent an apartment or house; the criteria for approval will vary depending on the property, location, landlord and other factors. However, knowing your credit score before you start apartment-hunting can help you zero in on properties you may qualify to rent.

How long does a credit check take for renting?

A credit check for renting can take anywhere from a few minutes to one week. Most of the time, the delays are caused by the agent having to wait on a third party (for example an employer or previous landlord) to reply. Most agents should be able to give you an estimate if you ask.

How much does a landlord charge to get a credit report?

According to the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs, a landlord can charge you the actual costs of processing your application, including obtaining your credit report, up to a maximum of $30.

What should my credit score be in order to receive housing?

Also, other affordable housing programs, such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties, will likely have a credit score as a part of the approval process. To obtain a credit report, you are able to get a credit report by multiple credit report agencies, but there are three agencies that are the largest and most widely-used.

How to get a credit report for renting a house?

Most landlords will accept a report from just one of the credit bureaus. You can save the other two free reports, from the remaining bureaus, for a later date. Follow the online prompts, which include questions that help verify your identity, to get your report.

What should my tenant’s credit score be for Zillow?

Depending on the service and credit bureau, the tenant’s credit score may vary slightly. Common scores include the FICO® score and the VantageScore. Both models generate scores within a range from 300-850. In general, when reviewing credit scores, you can use the following scale: As of September 2019, the average FICO score in the U.S. is 703.