Tenant Worthiness vs. Credit Score

The information in your credit report determines how high or low your credit score will be. A FICO credit score ranges from 300 to 850. When you're looking to rent from a landlord, your credit score will play an important role in the landlord's determination of your worthiness as a tenant.

FICO Credit Scores

Thirty percent of a FICO score measures how much debt you have. Thirty-five percent of the score reflects your payment history. Fifteen percent of the score measures the average length of your credit history. Ten percent of your score is how much new credit you've applied for lately and the final `10 percent reflects the mix of credit types in your credit file. Changes in your credit report information may change your credit score up or down.

Tenant Worthiness

When you apply to rent from a landlord, that landlord will often pull your credit report before signing a rental agreement with you. Your credit report will show what credit accounts you have, how much you owe on those accounts and your payment history on those accounts. It will also show any derogatory credit information, such as late payments, judgments or bankruptcy. The landlord will infer from your credit report your credit worthiness and thus, your worthiness as a potential tenant. The landlord may consider your level of financial responsibility, or how well you do or do not handle your finances, is an indicator of how good of a tenant you'll be and how you'll handle payment of your rental obligations.


Generally, positive information in your credit report will lead to a higher credit score. The higher your credit score, the better your credit and the more credit worthy a landlord will consider you to be. A landlord will usually want you to have good credit. What one landlord considers good credit versus another will vary. However, according to FICO, a good FICO credit score has a range of 660 to 724. Scores higher than that are even better. Very good credit has a range of 725 to 759. A credit score of 760 and above is considered great. A higher credit score may make a landlord more likely to approve you as a tenant.


A lower credit score may cause a landlord to view you as less credit worthy and, therefore, a potentially risky tenant. According to FICO, scores between 560 and 659 are considered "not good." A score below 560 is considered "bad." To improve your credit worthiness, FICO suggests making your payments on time. This component is the largest factor in the calculation of your score. Also, reducing the amount of debt you owe can also help improve your score over time. In addition, if you have any unpaid public record debts, such as tax liens or judgments, paying those off can demonstrate that you are financially responsible now even if you weren't in the past.

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