Bad credit for renting? What it means, and How to fix it
More than one-third of Americans have a credit score below 670. If you are one of them, you already know what that means when you apply for an apartment. But a low score is not a permanent condition — and it does not have to define your housing options.
At RentMor, we work with renters across Las Vegas who face this challenge every day. The good news is that there are concrete steps you can take — both to improve your credit over time and to find housing while you are still in the process of rebuilding it.
This is what you need to know.
What counts as bad credit — and why landlords care
Credit scores in the United States range from 300 to 850. Most landlords look for a minimum score between 600 and 650. Below that threshold, your application is likely to raise flags — not always fairly, but consistently.
300 – 579: Poor | 580 – 669: Fair | 670 – 739: Good | 740 – 850: Exceptional
Landlords use your score as a proxy for financial reliability. What they are really asking is: will this person pay rent consistently? A low score does not always answer that question accurately — but understanding what drives it gives you a path forward.
What actually affects your credit score
Payment history — 35%. The single largest factor. Late or missed payments have an immediate and lasting impact. One 30-day late payment can drop your score by 60 to 110 points.
Credit utilization — 30%. How much of your available credit are you using? Keeping utilization below 30% is the standard recommendation. Below 10% is better.
Length of credit history — 15%. The longer your accounts have been open, the better. Closing old accounts — even ones you do not use — can hurt your score.
Credit mix — 10%. A mix of credit types — cards, installment loans, auto — signals financial experience. Not something to manufacture, but good to understand.
New credit inquiries — 10%. Every time you apply for new credit, a hard inquiry is recorded. Multiple inquiries in a short period can signal financial stress.
How to improve your credit — in order of impact
There are no shortcuts. But there is a clear sequence that works.
Pull your free credit report. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized source. Review all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) for errors. Dispute anything inaccurate in writing.
Pay on time — every time. Set up autopay for the minimum on every account. One missed payment undoes months of progress. Consistency is the entire game.
Reduce your credit card balances. Pay down cards to below 30% of their limit. This alone can raise your score by 20 to 50 points within one to two billing cycles.
Become an authorized user. Ask a family member or trusted friend with good credit to add you to their account. You do not need to use the card — their history becomes part of your profile.
Use a secured credit card. If you have no credit or very damaged credit, a secured card — where you deposit funds as collateral — is one of the fastest ways to start building a positive history.
What to do while your credit is still recovering
Rebuilding credit takes time — typically six to twelve months to see meaningful movement. In the meantime, here is how to strengthen your rental application:
Offer a larger security deposit. Some landlords will accept two months' deposit in place of strict credit requirements.
Provide a co-signer. A co-signer with strong credit takes on legal responsibility for the lease and gives landlords additional security.
Show proof of income and employment. Bank statements, pay stubs, and an employment letter go a long way when your score does not tell the full story.
Get a reference letter from a previous landlord. A written endorsement from someone who has collected your rent successfully is one of the most underused tools in a rental application.
Looking for a landlord who will work with your situation?
RentMor connects renters in Las Vegas with landlords who evaluate applications beyond the credit score. If you need guidance on where to start, reach out — the conversation is free. Contact us at info@rentmor.com