Can You Get an Apartment Without Credit?

Yes, it is possible to rent an apartment without credit. When you apply for an apartment, the landlord or property manager will often use a credit check to assess your reliability as a tenant. When renting an apartment without credit, you may need to prove your reliability through alternative methods. Don’t stress; you’re not alone. Many renters have no credit history — especially those who are renting for the first time. 

The good news is that there are ways to get an apartment without credit. We’ll show you how and provide you with solutions to your credit situation. By the end, you’ll feel more confident navigating the rental process, credit history or not. 

Do you need credit to rent an apartment?

While you don’t need credit to rent an apartment, credit checks have become a standard part of the rental process. Your credit score and history give landlords insight into your financial reliability as a future tenant. While credit score requirements can vary depending on the landlord or property management company, a credit score of 650 or higher can often be required by landlords. Some luxury apartment communities may have high credit score requirements of 700 or better.  

When looking at your credit report, landlords can look at the following:

• Payment history: Have you consistently paid bills on time? On-time payments send a positive signal to landlords that you’re more likely to pay rent on time. 
• Debt levels: Do you carry significant amounts of debt? A high amount of debt can be concerning as it signals you may have a harder time affording rent or are more likely to miss payments.  
• Credit mix: Do you have experience managing different types of accounts? A good mix of credit shows you’re responsible and may be a more reliable tenant.

Essentially, landlords want assurance that you’ll be a dependable tenant. That said, not all rental decisions hinge on high credit scores, and many opportunities exist for renters without established credit history.

How to get an apartment without credit 

Typically, private landlords can be more flexible on credit score requirements, since they’re not held to the same rental policy requirements as larger property management companies. If lack of credit is a concern, you can offer a larger security deposit, provide proof of steady income, or show references from previous landlords to demonstrate your ability to pay rent on time. When renting an apartment from a property management company without credit, you may need to apply with a roommate or co-signer who does have good credit to strengthen your application. 

Here are a few strategies you can use to secure an apartment without credit:

1. Offer a larger security deposit 

A larger security deposit can ease concerns about credit. By offering to pay more than the standard security deposit advertised, you show your financial commitment and reduce financial risk to the landlord of a missed rent payment, which many landlords find reassuring. 

2. Provide proof of income 

Strong proof of income can help offset the lack of credit history. Share recent pay stubs, bank statements, or an employment verification letter to show how you plan to cover rent responsibly. Providing proof of income to a landlord paints a picture of financial stability that can favor your application. 

3. Use a co-signer or guarantor 

Ask a trusted family member or friend with a strong credit history to co-sign your lease. This shares financial responsibility so that rent will be covered, even if you’re unable to pay. Remember that co-signers are equally liable for rent payments, so it’s important to honor your responsibilities. 

4. Find a roommate

In order to become a more attractive candidate to a potential landlord, you might consider finding a roommate who is willing to rent with you. Having a roommate join your application, particularly one with a good credit score, can be beneficial to both you and your potential landlord. You get to split costs with another individual, while your landlord receives assurances of multiple people responsible for the rent. In Zillow’s 2024 Housing Trends Report, 8% of renters had a roommate as their co-shopper when looking for a space to rent. 

5. Provide references 

Character references from previous landlords, employers, or mentors can go a long way in building trust. These testimonials help landlords gain confidence in your reliability and character as a tenant. You may even want to consider providing your own letter with your rental application that explains the reason why you have no credit score and ways you’ve been working to improve it. 

How to build your credit score for renting

If you’re not in a rush to secure an apartment and would like to build your credit, here are some practical steps to get started: 

1. Open a secured credit card 

Secured credit cards are an option for those with little to no credit. You make a refundable deposit to “secure” the card, then use it like a regular credit card. By making small, consistent purchases and paying them off in full each month, you’ll start building a positive credit history. 

2. Ensure on-time payments 

Payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score, making it the most important factor in building credit. Set up automatic payments for bills like utilities, student loans, or credit cards to ensure you never miss a due date. 

3. Keep credit utilization low 

Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you’re using. Aim to use less than 30% of your credit limit each month as a starting point per credit industry guidelines. For example, if you have a $1,000 limit, keep your balance below $300 to maximize your credit score. 

4. Become an authorized user 

Ask a family member or close friend to add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards. Their good payment history can be reflected on your credit report, helping you build credit. 

5. Report rent payments to credit bureaus 

If you’re already renting, some landlords offer rent reporting services, or you can sign up yourself to have your on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus and help build your credit history. If you pay rent online through Zillow, you can report your on-time rent payments to help build your credit over time, without the burden of taking on new debt.