Why is Your Credit History Important?
Your credit history is one of the things landlords want to see before giving out their home to you. Your credit history will tell the landlord how reliable you are when it comes to paying back debt on time. A good credit score will tell the landlord that you are a reliable person and you will likely pay your rent on time. Landlords don’t want tenants who don’t pay the rent on time and want to give out their house to someone reliable. In summary, credit scores tell landlords who to rent the home out to and who to avoid.
Credit Score Guideline
| Type of Credit | BELOW AVG | AVERAGE | GOOD | EXCELLENT |
| Credit Score Range | 300 – 620 | 621 – 700 | 701 – 760 | 761 – 850 |
| Likelihood Landlord Accepts Applicant |
Fully Rejected Application – Very Low Likelihood of Acceptance |
Low Level – Likely |
Very Likely to be Accepted |
Credit not a variable in decision |
| Anticipated Security Deposit if Accepted |
2 – Months Rent (Or Maximum Allowed by Jurisdiction) |
1.5 – Months Rent (Landlord Discretion) |
1 – Month Rent (Minimum) |
1 – Month Rent (Minimum) |
Important Note: The information above is intended as general guidance based on past experience working with landlords and rental applications. All landlords must follow applicable state and local laws, and each landlord may have their own criteria for evaluating and selecting tenants.
Before submitting an application, ask any clarifying questions needed so you can make an informed decision about which properties are the best fit for you.
