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How to Get an Apartment When You Have Bad Credit

6 min read

Last Updated: July 18, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

You can rent an apartment with a low credit score.
No-credit-check apartments are good options if you have poor credit.
Improving your credit score may open more renting options in the future.

It can be a great feeling to get your own apartment. And you can rent an apartment if you have a poor credit score or no credit history. It just takes a bit of extra effort.

Before getting into the specifics of renting an apartment with a low credit score or no credit, it helps to understand what landlords are looking for when they pull your credit report.

Can you rent an apartment with bad credit?

It’s possible to rent an apartment with poor credit. But it could be easier with a higher credit score.

Many landlords and apartment complexes look at your credit report when you apply for an apartment. If you have a history of missed payments, they may worry that you won’t make your rent payments on time. Missed payments mean they’re at risk of losing money. If they don’t think you’re going to make timely payments, they may not approve your application.

On the other hand, if you have strong credit, your landlord or management company will probably trust you to make your rent payments regularly.

Some apartment complex management companies have strict credit qualifications. Others may offer no-credit-check options. Independent landlords with their own rental property might have credit qualifications, too, or they may consider renters on a case-by-case basis.

Some prospective landlords may be willing to look past poor credit, especially if you can prove that your financial situation has improved. You may want to find out the landlord’s rules before applying for an apartment.

A rental application will generate a hard inquiry on your credit report, and if you know you won’t be approved for the apartment, you can avoid the hit to your credit score.

Can you rent an apartment with no credit score?

Some landlords may be willing to rent to someone without a credit history. Others may do so if the potential tenant has a cosigner. Others might accept other evidence of reliable behavior, like academic transcripts showcasing good grades (for students with no credit) or letters of recommendation from a past landlord or an employer.

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How to rent an apartment with bad credit

Renting an apartment with bad credit isn’t impossible, but it may require extra effort. Here are a few things you can do to improve your odds of being accepted as a tenant:

Look for an apartment that doesn’t run a credit check

If you can find an apartment complex or individual landlord that doesn’t run a credit check as part of their application process, you don’t need to worry about having a low credit score. If you think your credit may prevent you from getting an apartment, consider searching for no-credit-check apartments in your area.

Add an additional security deposit

A low credit score or no credit score may make landlords think that you’re a risky prospective tenant. You can try to offset the risk by offering a larger security deposit at move-in.

Some landlords require the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit. Offering an additional deposit may alleviate some of the landlord’s concerns.

Offer more than the listed rent price

If you have your heart set on a specific apartment, it may be worth offering more than the listed rent to secure it. A landlord or rental company may be willing to waive their credit requirements in exchange for a higher monthly rent.

However, don’t commit to a monthly payment you can’t afford. You should still be able to make the rent payment in full and on time every month.

Provide proof of income

Some landlords may accept proof of income in place of a good credit score. You’ll want to demonstrate that you make enough to afford the monthly rent comfortably.

Depending on where you live, a landlord may look for a monthly salary of three or four times the monthly rent. Be prepared to provide paystubs or bank statements as proof of income.

Find a roommate or cosigner

If you don’t have good credit, you may be able to get support from someone else with a solid credit history.

Consider a cosigner with a good credit score. This person agrees to be financially liable for the monthly rent if you’re not able to pay it. This could make the potential landlord feel more confident about renting to you.

Provide evidence of payment history

Sometimes, unfortunate situations like being laid off from work or other financial hardships lead to a low credit score. Landlords know that it doesn’t always indicate poor financial habits.

Try providing proof of a regular payment history, like prior credit reports or bank statements. You can include a letter of recommendation from a previous landlord that highlights your reliability as a tenant.

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Be honest about your credit score and situation

Consider having an honest conversation with the landlord before applying for an apartment. Be truthful about why your score dipped and what you’re doing to improve it. You might be working with a credit counseling agency, aggressively paying off debt, or staying on top of your payment schedule, for example.

A landlord may be more flexible with their requirements when they hear your story.

Save money before you apply

Savings and other assets could help you build a profile as a reliable renter. Remember that your goal is to offset the risk that the landlord undertakes by renting to you.

Assets like a sizeable certificate of deposit or cash savings may convince landlords that you make smart financial decisions.

Improve your credit score

Building or rebuilding your credit score takes time, but it can create more opportunities to rent an apartment you want. A good credit score can also give you access to better terms on credit cards and loans, lower insurance premiums, and other benefits.

Try these steps to improve your credit history:

Pay down any outstanding credit card debt.
Make monthly loan and credit card payments in full and on time.
Avoid carrying a credit card balance.
If you must carry a balance, keep it as low as possible.
Check your credit report regularly and dispute any errors that may lower your score.

The bottom line

While a low credit score or no credit history may make apartment hunting difficult, financial preparation and open conversation can go a long way.

The tips above may help you find an apartment, but it’s always a good idea to work to improve your credit score, too. A higher credit score can open doors to new apartments, more credit, and other advantages.

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