Table of Contents
Can You Rent an Apartment With No Credit Check?
Finding No Credit Check Apartments For Rent
How to Rent an Apartment With No Credit
How to Find No Credit Check Apartments Near You
Do Private Landlords Do Credit Checks?
No Credit Check Apartments Bottom Line
Can You Rent an Apartment With No Credit Check?
Yes, there are no credit check apartments out there that you can rent, regardless of your credit score. These apartments are also an option if you have credit but would prefer not to provide your score.
Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to find no credit check apartments. For example, finding no credit check apartments in cities like NYC and San Francisco can be a challenge.
Finding No Credit Check Apartments For Rent
Looking for apartments with no credit check can be difficult. Some apartments will advertise that they don’t require a credit check, but you can usually count on those apartments being lower quality and more expensive than similar rental properties. However, you have several options when it comes to renting with no credit.
Oftentimes, the best thing you can do is to search for privately owned apartments with no credit check. Some private landlords will not run a credit check, while others will be flexible in their requirements.
Another option you may want to consider if you’re in a position where you have a low credit score is to be upfront and let your potential landlord know what’s going on. Honesty is always a good option, even when your poor credit score is related to your financial history.
How to Rent an Apartment With No Credit
- Consider a Guarantor or Co-Signer
- Offer To Move In Quickly
- Put Down a Larger Deposit
- Provide References
1. Consider a Guarantor or Co-Signer
Guarantors tend to be companies that sign on to your lease as added protection for your landlord. If you fail to pay your rent, your landlord can get the money from your guarantor. However, these services usually come with a monthly fee.
Alternatively, if you have a friend or family member who is in a secure financial position, you might consider asking them to cosign your lease agreement. A co-signer works the same way as the guarantor. They cover your rental costs if you fail to pay. But co-signers usually agree based on a personal relationship and may or may not have any terms for the agreement.
Often, this is how college students get their first few apartments, with their parents or other family members as co-signers.
2. Offer to Move In Quickly
One thing no landlord appreciates is owning a property that sits empty for a long time. One way you can potentially convince a landlord to let you rent their property is to offer to move in quickly, usually within a couple of days to a week.
This is best combined with honesty. The last thing your landlord wants is to sign an agreement quickly, only to discover that you have a bad credit score later.
3. Put Down a Larger Deposit
Another option is to put down a larger deposit on the apartment. If your apartment complex doesn’t already ask for first and last month’s rent, you can also offer to pay that, or slightly more, upfront.
Offering to pay more on an apartment in the first place is a great way to convince your new landlord that you have the resources and responsibility to rent their property, even if your credit score says otherwise.
That’s because raising a large amount of money upfront demonstrates both the resources and positive financial habits your landlord wants in a renter.
Some landlords will also offer this as an option if you enter the application process and are just slightly below their credit requirements, even if they don’t usually charge a high deposit.
A larger deposit also gives the landlord a financial cushion in case something does go wrong, which lowers their risk.
4. Provide References
Another low-cost option is to provide references to your landlord when you apply. These can come from your job, professional connections, and other reputable contacts that you trust.
References can go a long way to covering a bad credit score since your landlord is evaluating your credit as a way of trying to predict your personality and responsibility as much as your finances. After all, you could be rich, and still not the person they want if you habitually pay your bills late.
How to Find No Credit Check Apartments Near You
- Search For Month to Month Rentals
- Look For Smaller Rental Companies and Private Landlords
- Check on Local Resources
1. Search For Month to Month Rentals
Apartments that rent month-to-month are often more forgiving than apartments that sign a year or half-year lease. That’s because a lease can make it difficult for your landlord to evict residents for non-payment. But, month-to-month rentals have fewer barriers to eviction.
You’re taking on a little more risk, but also reducing your landlord’s risk. Plus, regular payment on your bills (including rent) while in a month-to-month apartment can start building your credit score again.
It’s a practical strategy to get an apartment with a low credit score.
2. Look For Smaller Rental Companies and Private Landlords
Large rental companies often have less flexibility when it comes to credit requirements because they have to reduce their overall risk, not just the risk of a single apartment. If you look for smaller rental companies and privately owned apartments first, you’re more likely to find someone who can work with you, regardless of your credit. Some private landlords won't even run a credit check at all.
Be sure to check out our guide on how to find private landlords if you want to go this route.
3. Check on Local Resources
Another thing to consider is that there might be a non-profit available to help, or county and state-level government resources that can connect you to a rental property that will accept low credit or no credit at all.
You should also consider rental relief programs if you do run into trouble while renting a no credit check apartment.
Do Private Landlords Do Credit Checks?
Many private landlords do not perform credit checks, although the policy varies between landlords. If you want a no credit check apartment, finding a private landlord is a great option. Even if the landlord wants to run credit, it's likely that you can convince them of your ability to be a good tenant who pays rent on time and still sign a lease for the apartment.
No Credit Check Apartments Bottom Line
Finding no credit check apartments for rent can take a bit of extra effort, but it's not too difficult if you know what you're doing. Even in places with booming rental markets like NYC you can find private landlords with no credit check apartments. And even if a private landlord insists on running a credit check, remember that they can be flexible, and demonstrating that you’re open and honest about your credit can build trust.
It’s also crucial to keep your expectations in line with your means. No credit check apartments might have slightly higher rents than other apartments in the same neighborhood simply because they are considered higher risk. But, staying on top of your rent can help build your credit and net you a better apartment when it’s time to move.