Back to articlesRenting an Apartment with a 500 Credit Score
Life with a low credit score can be challenging. You may have trouble opening a bank account, getting approved for a credit card or loan, or getting a job. You could even have trouble renting an apartment.
If you're wondering how to find apartments for rent with bad credit history, our experts are here to help. Bad credit apartments are available, you just have to know where to look. If you don’t know how to get an apartment with bad credit, this guide will tell you everything you need to know and options you can take advantage of. Here's what you need to know about renting an apartment with little or no credit - particularly if your credit score is around 500.
Key points
- There's no universal minimum credit score to rent an apartment, but the average credit score for U.S. renters is 650. A score of 500 falls in the "poor" range (below 580), which can make renting more challenging but not impossible.
- When screening tenants, landlords review credit reports that include payment history, debt accounts, public records like bankruptcies, and credit inquiries. They also assess debt-to-income ratio (DTI), with ratios below 36% generally viewed favorably.
- Several strategies can help secure an apartment with bad credit. Options include being upfront about credit issues, offering a larger security deposit (average is $750), getting a cosigner, providing strong references from previous landlords, demonstrating stable income, or finding a roommate with good credit to apply.
Why does credit matter when renting an apartment?
Can you get an apartment with bad credit or is it impossible? Landlords can look at more than just your three-digit credit score when you authorize them to run a credit check to rent an apartment. For example, a potential landlord who orders a tenant credit check through Experian get access to:
- Your credit report
- Your current and previous residences
- Income and employment verification
- Housing court records history
If you are wondering, “Does an eviction go on your credit report?”, the answer is no. But, if you have missed rent payments, your previous landlord might turn to a debt collection agency who in turn reports it to the credit bureau. The prospective landlord can use this information from a potential tenant to assess whether they are likely to pay their monthly rent on time and whether they might be a problem tenant. [2]
Can you get an apartment with a 500 credit score?
Before we delve into the minimum credit score to rent an apartment, it’s essential to understand the credit scoring range.
While there are a few credit scoring models (the most well-known being FICO and VantageScore), FICO scores are used by 90% of top lenders. [3]
They range from 300 to 850, so when people talk about having “good credit” or “bad credit,” they’re usually talking about the FICO credit score range:
|
FICO Score |
Rating |
Description |
|
<580 |
Poor |
This score is well below the average of U.S. consumers; people with scores in this range are considered risky borrowers. |
|
580 – 669 |
Fair |
People with scores in this range may have a hard time getting credit, though many lenders will still approve loans with this score. |
|
670 – 739 |
Good |
This score is near the average of U.S. consumers and most lenders will consider this a good score. |
|
740 – 799 |
Very Good |
This score is above the average score of U.S. consumers, demonstrating to lenders that you are a dependable borrower. |
|
800+ |
Exceptional |
This score is well above the average of U.S. consumers and demonstrates to lenders that you are an exceptional borrower. |
Source [3]
There’s no universal standard for the minimum credit score needed to rent an apartment, but according to 2024 data from The Zebra, the average renter has a credit score of around 650. [4]
How to rent an apartment with bad credit
If you have a fair or poor credit score, there’s hope! There are options for renting with bad credit score history. And other options for building your credit.
Here are 6 things you can try if you have a low credit score and need to rent an apartment.
1 - Be up front about your credit troubles
It might be possible to find a potential landlord who doesn't require a credit check, but be prepared for that credit check anyway.
Rather than wait for the prospective landlord to pull your credit, be honest and up front as soon as you apply. Let your prospective landlord know you've had credit issues in the past, but you're making an effort to improve your credit score.
By discussing the issue head-on, you'll establish yourself as an honest person, and the potential landlord may be more willing to work with you.
2 - Put down a bigger deposit
According to 2024 research from Zillow, 87% of renters pay a security deposit, and the typical security deposit amount was $750. [5]
Landlords may be willing to take a risk on a tenant with bad credit who is willing and able to put down a larger deposit. This can help build trust with the landlord and provide some peace of mind that you have the financial resources to make your monthly rent payment.
3 - Get a cosigner
If you have a friend or family member with a good credit score who is willing to cosign your lease, you may have an easier time getting approved to rent an apartment.
When you have a cosigner, you put their credit at risk if you default on your rental agreement. So make sure you can afford the monthly payments and will be diligent about making them on time.
Otherwise, defaulting on your apartment lease will further damage your credit, as well as the relationship with your cosigner. [6]
4 - Build your credit
If you have some time before you have to move into a rental property (a few months or more), work on building your credit first by checking your credit report to find opportunities to lift your credit score.
Here are some credit-building resources to help you get started:
- Learn how to build your credit to achieve your goals.
- Learn if reporting your rent to the credit bureaus is the right solution for you.
- Consider getting (and using responsibly) a credit builder card.
5 - Use your income to your advantage
If your income has increased substantially since you had credit issues, show your future landlord paystubs to show that you can afford your payments for the rental property.
Many landlords look at a prospective tenant’s debt-to-income ratio to determine whether they can afford the rent. DTI is the percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts (including rent).
There’s no set DTI that landlords look for, but many prefer a DTI under 36-40%.
Calculate your DTI on your own before talking to potential property managers or your future landlord. If you already fall below the 36% mark, point it out to the landlord. Otherwise, you might need to work on paying down debt or find a cheaper place to rent. [7]
6 - Provide references
Maybe you have poor credit but have always been a model tenant. Ask your former landlord to write a letter of recommendation or provide a reference over the phone.
A good rental history reference from a previous landlord or property owner, along with proof of steady income, can help establish your good character in the landlord or property manager's eyes.
7 - Get a roommate
If you can find a roommate with good credit, have your roommate rent the apartment and then sublease half of the apartment from your roommate.
Or you can move in with someone who already has a place and is looking for a roommate. This keeps your credit score out of the situation entirely.
Bottom line
It might take a little more work to rent an apartment with a 500 credit score or a bad credit history, but you're not out of options. Use some of the suggestions above to find an apartment that meets your needs, even with a poor credit score. Then work on rebuilding your credit so you can lease an apartment easily in the future.
Ready to start building your credit? Get the Self app to get started.
Sources
- Experian, “Tenant Screening” https://connect.experian.com/credit-check/landlords.html Accessed January 30, 2026
- Equifax, “How Does an Eviction Affect Your Credit Score?” https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/articles/-/learn/how-does-eviction-affect-credit-score/ Accessed January 30, 2026
- MyFICO, “What is a FICO Score?” https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/what-is-a-fico-score Accessed January 30, 2026
- The Zebra, “Renting Statistics in 2026” https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/renting-statistics/ Accessed January 30, 2026
- Zillow, “Consumer Housing Trends Report 2024” https://www.zillow.com/research/renters-housing-trends-report-2024-34387/ Accessed January 30, 2026
- Zillow, “What is a Co-Signer for an Apartment?” https://www.zillow.com/learn/what-is-a-cosigner-for-an-apartment/ Accessed January 30, 2026
- Lease Runner, “Debt-to-Income Ratio for Renting an Apartment” https://www.leaserunner.com/blog/debt-to-income-ratio-apartment Accessed January 30, 2026
About the author
Janet Berry-Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant and freelance writer with a background in accounting and insurance. See Janet on Linkedin and Twitter.
About the reviewer
Lauren Bringle is an Accredited Financial Counselor® with Self Financial– a financial technology company with a mission to help people build credit and savings. See Lauren on Linkedin and Twitter.
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