Last updated on January 26th, 2023 at 07:11 am
If you have bad credit or a low credit score, a no credit check apartment can seem like a lifeline. But finding an apartment to rent can be hard, and it’s best to avoid apartments that require a credit check. So, how do you find no credit check apartments near you?
Well, if you do a little research, you can find apartments that don’t check credit. Some private landlords may be willing to overlook a low credit score. This post tells you everything you need to know about no credit check apartments. Here’s how to find no credit check apartments near you.
Call Different Apartments and Ask About Their Credit Requirements
The first thing you should do is call different apartments and find out their credit requirements. Talk to the property managers and ask if they have a specific minimum score or if tenants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For example, a property manager may be more willing to approve your application if your credit score has been affected by unpaid medical bills instead of a recent bankruptcy.
Do Lots of Research to Find Privately Owned Apartment Complexes
Research online and look around when driving for rental signs that mention no credit check apartments, usually called For Rent by Owner properties. Local classified websites and newspapers may also contain this information. Larger apartment complexes often are run by property management companies that adhere to specific screening guidelines. If you find a small apartment that’s managed by the owner, you can talk to them and explain the reasons for your low credit score.
Show Proof of Income
If you have a full-time or a part-time job, you can obtain pay stubs from your employer. Some landlords ask for pay stubs for the last three months to determine renters’ ability to pay and to see whether their income fluctuates every month. Your monthly pre-tax income must be at least three times the rent.
Save a Deposit

Landlords and property management companies usually perform a credit check to determine your likelihood to pay rent. In most cases, forgoing a credit check will cost you. You may be asked for a larger deposit as collateral. So, start saving for a deposit as soon as you can. Even though you may be unsuccessful in finding an apartment that skips the credit check, this doesn’t mean you’ll be automatically rejected. Most property managers require a larger deposit from renters with limited or poor credit.
Instead of saving up for a large deposit, you can get a surety bond which is a cheaper alternative. You simply pay a fee to the bond company instead of paying a refundable deposit to the apartment. This is usually a percentage of the security deposit (10%-15%). You pay the fee to the bond company which then pays your security deposit. But it’s worth mentioning that the bond fee is non-refundable. You’ll also be liable for any property damage.
Find Month-to-Month Leases
Also known as a short-term rental agreement, a month-to-month lease is a rental agreement that establishes occupancy without a specific end date. Every month, the lease renews automatically. To end the contract, the landlord or tenant must give proper notice. Because it’s a short-term lease, it’s not uncommon for a landlord to not perform a credit check.
Move in Immediately
Vacant apartments mean no income for landlords. If you can move in immediately, the landlord may choose to forego the credit check and offer you a shorter lease term. Once you show that you are reliable, the landlord may extend your lease to a longer one.
Get a Co-Signer
This is the easiest way to secure an apartment without a credit check. Simply ask someone with good credit to co-sign for you on your lease. This could be a close friend or a family member. Your co-signer must have good credit. Also, make them aware that they’ll have to pay your rent if you fail to pay on time. A co-signer gives the landlord a safety net. They know that someone will pay your rent in case you’re unable to.
Get a Guarantor

A lease guarantor is someone who takes the financial liability of your lease if you are unable to fulfill it. By agreeing to guarantee you, they are responsible for all lease terms. A guarantor differs from a cosigner in that they are only sought for payment when the renter is unable to make the rental payment. A co-signer has equal responsibility for payment of monthly rental costs.
Find a Roommate with Good Credit
Your potential landlord might be more willing to rent to you if you’re moving in with someone who has good credit. Since you don’t have a good credit history, take advantage of your roommate’s. But your combined income should be enough to cover the rent. Also, don’t put your roommate in trouble and pay your rent on time each month. Doing this will also help build your credit score.
Provide References and Recommendations
If you can’t find someone to co-sign your lease, provide references or get a recommendation from your employers or previous landlords. Former landlords can help you to find a no credit check apartment. They assure your potential landlord that you’re a financially responsible person who has been dependable in the past. This increases the chances of your application getting approved.
No Credit Check Rentals Near Me: How to Find Them
To find no credit check rentals near you, follow the tips we’ve listed above. Here’s what you should do:
- Search in your neighborhood for no credit rental checks
- Look for For Rent by Owner properties online and offline
- Save a large deposit—because the property management company will ask for it
- Get a cosigner or a guarantor
- Find a month-to-month lease or sign a short-term lease
- Move in with a roommate with good credit
- Prove that you’re able to pay the rent
- Provide references from previous landlords
How to Find Second Chance Rentals Near Me

Second chance rentals are available to people with a less-than-perfect rental history. These are renters who have:
- Failed to pay rent on time
- A poor credit score
- A bad background
- Broken a lease with no valid cause
- Owe rent
- Moved out without giving a notice
- Been evicted
- No credit history
- Gone bankrupt
To find a second chance apartment near you, search online to see the available apartments in your city. Choose a rental listing site with search filters so you can narrow down the results to meet your criteria. You can set the price range, choose the number of bedrooms, and select the apartment amenities you want.
How to Find No Credit Check Apartments Craigslist Near Me
To find no credit check apartments on craigslist, do this:
- Go to the homepage and type “no credit check apartments” in the box beneath “search craigslist.” But make sure the location is correct or change it to reflect your area.
- You can also search by category. Click on the category (e.g. “housing”) or sub-category (e.g. “apartments/housing for rent”). If you select a sub-category, you can set the price range, the bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet, the exact location, and other features.
Property Management That Works With Bad Credit Near Me
Want to find a property management company that works with bad credit near you? You’ll need to do lots of research. Here’s what you can do.
- Research property management companies online
- Search on websites that publish crowd-sourced reviews about companies—like Yelp
- Ask friends and colleagues for referrals
- Contact property management companies directly and ask if they work with renters with bad credit.
There you have it! That’s how to find no credit check apartments near you. Word to the wise: you’ll need lots of patience and good research skills to find the best apartment. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start searching!
FAQs
How to get an apartment with bad credit? ›
- Check your credit record: ...
- Find a guarantor or co-signer: ...
- Be honest and show progress regarding your financial situation: ...
- Provide proof of reliability: ...
- Point to a solid income: ...
- Pay rent in advance and increase your security deposit: ...
- Consider getting a roommate:
Can You Get an Apartment with a Credit Score of 500? Yes, you can rent an apartment with a credit score of 500 but you should give yourself time to look. You'll need to get creative and consider a higher security deposit, taking over a lease as a subletter, or paying more rent upfront.
How can I rent with bad credit and no guarantor? ›- Check your credit report.
- Clear outstanding debts.
- Ask your current/previous landlord for a good reference.
- Offer a larger deposit (if possible)
- Find yourself a housemate.
- Review your online presence.
- Have an honest conversation upfront.
While a FICO credit score from 580-669 is considered fair credit, 620 is often the minimum credit score you'll need to rent an apartment. If your score is lower than 620, it could be more difficult to rent an apartment.
How can I move with no money and bad credit? ›- Avoid moving at peak periods.
- Rent first and buy later.
- Get recycled boxes.
- Get rid of items you no longer need.
- Transfer your balance to reduce interest.
- Pay more than the minimum balance on your credit.
- Ask for Help.
- Use a co-signer.
Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. With proof of income, a valid photo ID, and a good credit score, a renter should be able to apply for an apartment without difficulty. However, if your credit score is below 700, you might find renting more difficult.
Do private landlords do credit checks? ›Credit checks
Your letting agent and some landlords will do a credit check to see if you've had problems paying bills in the past. They must get your permission first. It's less common for private landlords to do credit checks because they can make it take longer to rent out a property.
Factors that contribute to a higher credit score include a history of on-time payments, low balances on your credit cards, a mix of different credit card and loan accounts, older credit accounts, and minimal inquiries for new credit.
How can I build my credit fast? ›- Pay credit card balances strategically.
- Ask for higher credit limits.
- Become an authorized user.
- Pay bills on time.
- Dispute credit report errors.
- Deal with collections accounts.
- Use a secured credit card.
- Get credit for rent and utility payments.
There is no minimum Credit Score that you need to rent a property – in fact, you shouldn't really worry about a number at all. Landlords won't use credit scoring in the same way that a lender would and won't get anything like the score that you are likely to see if you check yourself online.
How can I rent a private property with bad credit? ›
- Get a family member or friend to be a guarantor. ...
- Pay for a guarantor service. ...
- Upgrade your credit history. ...
- Pay your rent in advance. ...
- Rent in a shared house. ...
- Find a bond guarantee scheme.
Having a low or no score or a history of defaults can make things more difficult when it comes to finding a rental property. Landlords and agents will carry out a credit check as part of a wider reference process to check if you've had any problems paying bills in the past.
Which credit score do landlords look at? ›“Each landlord is different, but most landlords and property managers look for a credit score above 600,” Fluegge says. FICO® and VantageScore® credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. An applicant with a higher credit score might be considered to have shown a pattern of managing their finances responsibly.
What credit score do you start with? ›The base credit scores of the most popular credit-reporting models start at 300. Starting with a score of around 300 is possible only if you've managed your finances poorly. You may start to build a credit history or improve your score without using any type of credit.
What do landlords see on a credit check? ›In a credit check, a landlord is looking for a good credit history and on-time payments. They're also looking to see if a potential tenant has been previously evicted or has declared bankruptcy, which may influence their decision to rent.
How can I build credit if I can't get approved for anything? ›- Become an authorized user. One of the quickest and easiest ways to build credit is by becoming an authorized user on a family member's or friend's credit card. ...
- Apply for a secured credit card. ...
- Get credit for paying monthly utility and cell phone bills on time.
1. Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. For more than four years now, Oklahoma's second city has been encouraging remote workers to pack up and move there through the Tulsa Remote program. If you apply and make the cut, you'll receive a one-time payment of $10,000 to get you on your feet.
How fast can you build credit? ›The Takeaway. It usually takes a minimum of six months to generate your first credit score. Establishing good or excellent credit takes longer. If you follow the tips above for building good credit and avoid the potential pitfalls, your score should continue to improve.
Can a 570 credit score get you an apartment? ›You'll want to shoot for having a good credit score — generally in the range of 570-739 — to get an apartment. While you may be able to still get an apartment if you don't have solid credit, it will make it more challenging with the competition you're likely to face.
Do apartments do hard credit checks? ›Landlords can check credit in a few different ways; some are considered hard pulls while others are considered soft pulls. You are well within your right to ask the landlord what type of credit check they're going to do. A hard credit inquiry could lower your credit score by up to 10 points.
What documents do landlords ask for? ›
- Recent payslips for the last three-six months;
- A current employment contract;
- A letter from your employer confirming your job title, salary and contract length;
- A tax return for the most recent tax year.
Most landlords and referencing agencies require tenants to provide bank statements as proof of income and rent payments.
What is a soft search credit check? ›What is a soft credit check? A soft credit check is an initial look at certain information on your credit report. Companies perform soft searches to decide how successful your application would be without conducting a full examination of your credit history.
How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days? ›- Lower your credit utilization rate. The fastest way to get a credit score boost is to lower the amount of revolving debt (which is generally credit cards) you're carrying. ...
- Ask for late payment forgiveness. ...
- Dispute inaccurate information on your credit reports. ...
- Add utility and phone payments to your credit report.
And, yes, if you are in that 500–600 credit score range, obtaining the financing to buy a car is doable. Even a small percentage of individuals with deep subprime credit scores – 500 or below – obtained auto financing in 2021.
How can I raise my credit score in 30 days? ›- Make sure your credit report is accurate.
- Sign up for Credit Karma.
- Pay bills on time.
- Use credit cards responsibly.
- Pay down a credit card or loan.
- Increase your credit limit on current cards.
- Make payments two times a month.
- Consolidate your debt.
Credit Law Center explains three things to do to improve a credit score in the next 24 hours. First, add a new account or become an authorized user. Second, is to pay down your credit cards or balances. Third, pay for deletion.
How to build credit up from $500? ›- Pay Your Bills on Time. Payment history is an important factor in calculating your credit scores. ...
- Maintain a Low Credit Utilization Ratio. ...
- Consider a Secured Credit Card. ...
- Look Into Credit Counseling.
Key Takeaways. A credit ghost is someone who has never opened a line of credit, meaning they don't have a credit score. A credit ghost is also someone who has an inactive credit history. Another term similar to credit ghost is credit invisible.
How long do rent4sure checks take? ›With a Credit Check, we return your Final Report instantly - just seconds after you hit submit. Over 90% of our Full References are completed within 48 hours. Make the process even quicker by getting your Tenants to fill in the required i nformation using our Tenant Complete system.
How do you pass a reference check? ›
- Be upfront. ...
- Get your paperwork together. ...
- Inform referees. ...
- Answer all correspondence as soon as you can. ...
- Work out who will pay what. ...
- Secure a guarantor before starting the tenant referencing process. ...
- Lastly, have your finances in order.
The landlord or agent must usually return your holding deposit even if: you fail an affordability or credit check. they are not happy with your references.
What is the lowest credit score to rent a house? ›Going back to the credit score range, if your credit score is at least 670, you're at the start of the sweet spot. If it's within the fair credit score range (580-669), you may need to bring in a co-signer for your lease to reassure your landlord that you cover the rent payments.
Can I rent with bad credit if I have a guarantor? ›They guarantee to pay the debt if the borrower cannot afford to. A guarantor isn't likely to be accepted if they have bad credit, as it would be too risky from the lender's perspective.
What is a bad credit score? ›FICO Score
Very poor: 300 to 579. Fair: 580 to 669. Good: 670 to 739. Very good: 740 to 799.
If you regularly pay your rent on time and in full, you can have your good payment history reported to credit bureaus to help raise your credit score through a rent-reporting service.
What is the lowest credit score? ›- Very poor: 300 to 579.
- Fair: 580 to 669.
- Good: 670 to 739.
- Very good: 740 to 799.
- Excellent: 800 to 850.
If you haven't started using credit yet, you won't have a credit score. You begin to build your credit score after you open your first line of credit, such as a credit card or a student loan. At that point, your credit score is determined by the way you use that initial credit account.
Is 300 a good credit score? ›Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 300 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.
What is a good credit score? ›Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.
Does rent show up on credit report? ›
Unless you or your landlord have signed up for a rent reporting service, the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – will not put rent payments on your credit report. That means your credit score and credit report aren't affected by your rent payments.
How accurate is credit karma? ›Here's the short answer: The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma come directly from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major consumer credit bureaus. The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus.
Can you get an apartment with a 499 credit score? ›A 499 credit score is a poor credit score. It makes it very difficult to qualify for credit or even apply for an apartment but it can absolutely be improved.
Can I rent a house with a 550 credit score? ›Is Bad Credit an Automatic Rejection? By most landlords' standards, the minimum credit score to rent an apartment is 620. But many landlords look past the credit score and search for specific activity on a potential tenant's credit report.
How to fix 400 credit score? ›Your ability to pay on time, as well as how much debt you have compared to your credit limit make the biggest impact on your score. If you keep your debt low (ideally below 30 percent of your total credit limit), pay on time every month, and don't apply for new credit cards frequently, your score will be good.
Can I get a loan with a 400 credit score? ›Consumers with very poor credit scores between 400 and 450 often have their credit applications rejected, according to FICO, a credit scoring agency. But it doesn't have to be that way. Loans and credit cards for 400 to 450 credit scores are still available.