6 Tips For Getting An Apartment When Your Credit Score Is Not-So-Hot (2024)

Speaking with Andy really gave me more context on why I’ve been struggling so much to get an apartment. He told me that my credit score is one of the main factors landlords use to measure my trustworthiness as a tenant. Different landlords look for different things when pulling your credit score, yet in most cases the better your score, the higher your chances of getting the place you want.

He also says, “If your credit is bad, you may find it harder to secure an apartment, especially in a more competitive market. If it’s on the lower side, you may want to hold off on your search until you can get your score up. A lower score can mean your application is overlooked or rejected in favor of candidates with better credit.”

But of course, it's not always possible to wait until your score is higher. Growing credit takes time (believe me), but it's still possible to find a place to live in the meantime if you leverage other tactics.

Andy says that explaining any blemishes in your credit history can help landlords better understand your financial situation. "Be as transparent as you are comfortable being," he says. "If you missed a payment, for example, explain why that happened and how you’re planning to eventually make that payment.”

If you have any errors on your credit report (which does happen), it’s also important to highlight them and show that you’re actively disputing them too. And if you’ve been working on improving your credit, you could also show your progress to make your case stronger.

Showing proof that you can hold a steady job with enough income to cover your rent and other general expenses can make landlords more likely to rent to you. A recent paystub may not be enough depending on the landlord though, especially if you’ve recently been unemployed. It may be best to ask your boss for a signed letter verifying that you’re gainfully employed.

If you're a freelancer or self-employed, try to have a mix of client invoices and bank statements from the past six months. Even if your income isn't consistent, you want to show that you can afford the rent for a long period of time.

A landlord wants to make sure any future tenant will pay their rent on time and in full, so having someone vouch for you as a cosigner makes you seem more trustworthy. “If the landlord is set on signing with someone with good credit, you may need a cosigner, like a parent or a friend, as backup to pay rent if you’re unable to.” Andy says that a cosigner or guarantor can help make up for a non-existent credit history or if you're paid a lower income. Just note that this is a big favor to ask someone, as if you don't pay the rent then they'll end up with your bill.

And if you're moving into a new apartment with a roommate, see if their credit score is higher than yours — if it is, you can ask them to take the lead on negotiating with the landlord and signing the lease.

Another thing you can do to increase your chances of getting a lease is to rent from an individual owner instead of apartment complexes and management companies. Just make sure you’re careful when you do this because an over-eager landlord can turn out to be a scammer.

Andy says, “If a potential landlord wants you to move in or wire them a security deposit without seeing the place in-person first, that can be a red flag for a common scam. If an apartment seems too good to be true, trust your instincts and keep looking.” I actually fell for this scam myself back in 2016, when I was looking for a new apartment in NYC — it happens, so be careful. (I lost $1,600 and never got it back!)

In some cases, offering to move in right away can give you a slight edge. This is more useful if you offer to pay some of your upcoming rent using a lump sum payment to help you out when you’re negotiating. And you should also note that this tactic is more effective if the apartment has been vacant for about one to two months, as the lost income from that time period might convince the landlord to hear you out.

Just remember to be specific about your intended move-in date and get it in writing (it’s different from the date you sign your lease).

Andy also stresses that building a score does take time, even though there are known strategies out there that can help you improve it. "Consistently staying on top of your credit will be helpful to your future self, even if you aren't looking for an apartment in the near future. Good credit is built over time, and when you are ready to move, you want to be in good standing."

On a final note, Andy says, “No matter what, the most impactful thing you can do for your credit is to create some consistent financial habits that you maintain over time to help improve your score and remain in good standing.”