Credit scores are annoyingly complex numbers that govern a lot of what you can and can’t do in this country. The credit score ranges from zero to 900, with most people falling somewhere in the range of 300 to 800. It is easy for your credit score to fall below 650, which sounds like a big number, but is actually considered “not great” when it comes to seeking loans and finding homes. Most apartments for rent will insist on a credit check so landlords can have a good idea of how reliable you are when it comes to making payments on time. However, your credit can drop for surprising reasons—for example, completely paying off your student loans or credit card debt can cause it to fall. So what if you want to rent an apartment, but your credit score is lower than you’d like? The good news is that there are several strategies you can employ.

Why do landlords check your credit score?

Credit scores are checked for a variety of reasons when you’re getting a loan or making a large purchase, and the same logic applies to landlords. A credit score is a basic way for landlords to ensure you are a reliable tenant and can make rent payments on time. This logic makes sense on paper but can also be flawed. After all, your credit score can change for many reasons, including errors by credit card companies or credit score raters.

Because of this, you have a variety of options if you do have a bad credit score. A score below 650 doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unreliable. It simply means something could’ve happened that left a dent in your numbers. This does mean that you’ll have to work harder to prove that you are reliable and can afford your rent. While this might be difficult, it’s totally possible.

How do realtors check your credit score?

Landlords or the realtors who work for them can check your credit score after they’ve received your consent to do so and your personal identification information. The consent is generally gathered on an application form or a specific consent to background check form. Personal identification information can include your full name, social security number, and current address. Once the landlord or realtor collects what they need, they can then conduct a check on one of the many credit reporting companies such as Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, etc. to do so. 

How to improve your credit score

Quickly boost your credit score

We won’t lie to you. This method is a bit difficult and could take a month or two before it starts working. That said, there are ways to boost your credit score quickly, like asking for a higher credit limit, becoming an authorized user for a friend or family member with good credit, or just starting payments on debts multiple times a month instead of just once a month. Again, this method might take a few weeks to kick in, but it’s better than waiting a year or more.

Find a cosigner or a guarantor

If you don’t have a reliable credit score, you may have the option to piggyback off of someone else’s good credit to get your home. This is easier if you’re seeking a place with roommates. If one or more of them have a good credit score, you’ll be sitting pretty. Their score will, more than likely, be enough to satisfy the landlord. They just want to make sure you can pay the rent, so having a roommate with a great credit score will be some peace of mind for the landlord.

If you want to live alone, or all your roommates have poor credit, then you’ll need a guarantor. This can be anyone from your parents, to a significant other, to a friend or family. This guarantor should have a great score and a steady gig with a lot of extra income, as they will be legally required to pay your rent if you aren’t able to. For this reason, you and your guarantor must be able to trust each other. If they pay your rent too many times, then they might not be so willing to vouch for you when it’s time to find a new home or renew the lease.

If the people closest to you cannot be guarantors for whatever reason, another good option is a third-party guarantor. Businesses like Insurent and Leap Easy will act as your guarantor for a fee. They require proof of employment and an annual salary that’s 27.5 times the monthly rent, but that’s much cheaper than the 40 times monthly rent landlords sometimes want proof of from potential renters. This is also a way to increase your credit score, as you will be making payments to the guarantor business and your monthly rent.

How to find places for rent with bad credit?

Let’s say that you aren’t able to boost your credit score quickly enough. Here are some alternative methods for renting an apartment even with a bad credit score in New York City. 

Find a sublet

This method is another one where you are essentially piggybacking off of someone else’s credit score. In this case, you typically have to prove to the leaseholder, not the landlord, that you can pay rent. This is because the leaseholder is still responsible for paying rent if you fall short, so their credit score is the only one that matters to the landlord. That said, you’ll likely be signing a sublet agreement, so being responsible with your payments is still the best way to go. However, if you swing this right, you likely won’t have to have your credit score checked at all, though your housing will be temporary.

Find a broker who will vouch for you

Finding the right real estate agent can be a huge help if you have bad credit, especially if you let them know about your credit issues early in the process. It might take a while to find a broker to put in this leg work for you, but many even specialize in working with clients who have poor credit. These agents will have a wide network of landlords, many of whom are very forgiving of low scores as long as you have the credentials to prove you can pay rent.

You’ll also have to do some leg work if you’re going through this route. Having multiple ways to prove your employment and income is a good start, but referrals from past buildings you’ve lived in will be even better. If a past landlord is willing to advocate for you as a tenant, that will go a long way when speaking with a potential new landlord. This evidence will allow your broker to compile a case for you, and that case could land you your dream home. From there, you can begin to build your credit up again.

Provide landlord proof of assets

You might think you don’t have additional sources of income at your disposal, especially if you have one job instead of two. However, landlords just need a bit of insurance to prove they will be paid monthly, so having proof of various assets, like savings accounts, stocks, and even life insurance or retirement funds can put their minds at ease. These assets should only be tapped into for emergencies, but they are a good way to show that your credit score doesn’t necessarily reflect your wealth. You simply need to show them that you are responsible with money and showing them these accounts can go a long way.

Be patient

If you’re just moving for a change of scenery, then you might simply want to wait for the market to cool down. Rental properties in the city are moving fast, with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applicants trying to get the same apartment. In a market that’s this crazy, landlords have the luxury of being picky when it comes to people with higher credit scores. The more people want to move to the city, the more those with lower credit scores get left behind.

This is why waiting for the market to cool might be one of your best bets. Even with a great credit score, there is no guarantee that you could get a place. The market can cool for various reasons, from economic turmoil to seasonality (the housing market usually cools in the winter). Once the market cools, landlords will be more incentivized to fill their buildings so that the credit checks won’t be as big of an issue. You should still show them that you can pay to live in the building, but this will at least put your mind at ease. 

Can I avoid a credit check in NYC?

Unless you’re subletting an apartment, not likely. Most apartments for rent in New York City will require a credit check before your rental application is reviewed and accepted. 

Are there apartments that don’t require credit check?

Some no credit needed apartments exist in New York City, but they are few and far between. You’re much more likely to find a place with a cosigner, guarantor, or by simply raising your credit score. Rentals that don’t require a credit history used to be much more abundant, but now, people without credit scores usually have to enter into some type of guarantor situation.

In NYC, your ideal credit score will be at least 700 if you’re seeking a rental property. However, times are tough for everyone, and there are many people whose credit score does not look like that. You can check your credit score for free at annualcreditreport.com and go from there. If it’s high, that’s great! If it’s low, don’t panic. Not many people have a consistently high credit score, and there are ways to raise your score while also finding places to live. It’s a difficult situation, but you’re not alone. Gather your financial paperwork, your proof of income, a guarantor, and keep looking for the right home.