What landlords actually check
When you apply for an apartment, most landlords and property managers run a tenant screening that includes a credit check. They are not judging you the way a mortgage lender would. They mostly want to know one thing: do you pay your bills on time. A history of on-time payments and manageable balances tells them you are likely to pay rent the same way.
Many apartment credit checks are a soft inquiry that does not affect your score, though some are hard pulls, so it is fair to ask which one it is. Alongside your score, screening companies look at open accounts, any collections or evictions, and how much debt you carry relative to your income. The full picture matters more than a single number.
The scores that tend to get approved
There is no national rule, but patterns exist. Many landlords look for a score somewhere in the low-to-mid 600s, while competitive buildings in expensive cities may want 680, 700, or higher. Smaller independent landlords are often more flexible and may weigh your income and references more than the exact number.
Having no credit is a different situation from having bad credit. A thin or empty file is not a red flag the way late payments and collections are. It simply means the landlord has less to go on, so they will lean harder on your income, your deposit, and your rental references to fill in the blanks.
Options when your credit is thin or low
If your file is light or your score is below what a building wants, you still have real paths to approval. A co-signer or guarantor with strong credit agrees to cover the rent if you cannot, which reassures the landlord. Be clear that this is a serious commitment for whoever signs with you.
You can also offer a larger security deposit or a few months of rent up front where that is allowed, show steady income that meets the common rule of earning about three times the monthly rent, and bring documentation. Pay stubs, an offer letter, bank statements, and a letter from a previous landlord all help a human see you as reliable even when the data is limited.
Building credit before you apply
If you have a few months before you need to move, use them. Open a secured credit card, put one small recurring bill on it, and pay it in full every month. That single habit starts a positive payment history, the most important factor in your score, and it can lift a thin file faster than people expect.
You can also make the rent you already pay start working for you. Rent-reporting services add your on-time rent payments to your credit file, which can help build a score from the housing cost you are paying anyway. Newcomers building credit from scratch, including those using an ITIN, can use these same tools to establish a track record.
Putting your best application forward
Before you apply, pull your own credit reports and read them closely. You are entitled to free copies, and checking your own is a soft inquiry that never hurts your score. If you find an error dragging you down, you have the right under federal law to dispute inaccurate information directly with the bureau, for free, and it is something you file yourself.
Then apply strategically. Target buildings that fit your profile, gather your documents in one folder, and be upfront about any blemish with a short honest explanation. A prepared applicant with modest credit often beats a disorganized one with a better score, because landlords are choosing a tenant, not just a number.
Your first apartment is often your first big test of the credit you have been building, and Subefy helps you walk in ready. Use our building tools to establish on-time history, turn your rent into credit through reporting, and watch all three bureaus so there are no surprises on application day. Estimates are educational, results vary, and no specific result is guaranteed.