Pay rent anyway? Use it to build credit! Learn how to report rent payments to credit bureaus using free and paid services. Turn your biggest expense into a credit-building tool.
Rent is probably your biggest monthly expense. What if I told you that you could use it to build credit—often for free?
Most people don't know this, but you CAN get your rent payments reported to the credit bureaus, just like credit card payments. This can boost your credit score, especially if you have a thin credit file.
Here's everything you need to know.
Why Rent Doesn't Automatically Build Credit
Unlike credit cards, mortgages, and car loans, rent payments usually aren't reported to the credit bureaus.
Why? Most landlords and property management companies don't report to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. It's extra work for them, and there's no requirement to do it.
What this means: You could pay $1,500/month in rent on time for 5 years and have ZERO credit benefit from it.
The solution: Rent reporting services that report your payments on your behalf.
How Rent Reporting Works
A rent reporting service acts as a middleman:
- You sign up for a rent reporting service
- They verify your rent payments (through bank statements, lease agreement, landlord confirmation, etc.)
- They report your payments to one or more credit bureaus
- Your rent history appears on your credit report
- Your credit score improves (if you pay on time!)
Important: This only helps if you pay rent ON TIME. Late rent payments will hurt your score if they're reported!
Does Reporting Rent Actually Improve Your Credit Score?
Short answer: Yes, but it depends on the scoring model.
VantageScore (used by Credit Karma): Includes rental payments in the score calculation. You'll see a boost here.
FICO Score 8 (most common): Does NOT traditionally include rent payments.
FICO Score 9 and newer (FICO XD): DOES include rent payments.
What this means:
Reporting rent will improve your VantageScore and newer FICO scores, but might not help with FICO 8 (which many lenders still use).
Who benefits most:
- ✅ People with thin credit files (few or no other accounts)
- ✅ People with no credit history
- ✅ People applying for apartments (landlords often use VantageScore or manual review)
Who benefits less:
- People with established credit (multiple credit cards, loans, etc.)
- People applying for mortgages (many lenders use older FICO models)
My take: It's worth it if you have limited credit. Even if it doesn't help with every lender, it can still open doors—especially for apartment applications.
Best Free Rent Reporting Services
1. Experian RentBureau (Built into Experian Boost) ⭐ Best Free Option
Cost: FREE
Reports to: Experian only
Score impact: FICO Score 9, VantageScore 3.0/4.0
Retroactive reporting: Up to 24 months of past rent history!
How it works:
- Sign up for Experian Boost (free)
- Connect your bank account
- Experian finds your rent payments automatically
- They add up to 24 months of past payments to your Experian report
- Your FICO 9 score updates immediately
Pros:
✅ Completely free
✅ Reports past rent payments (huge advantage!)
✅ Automatic—no monthly uploads needed
✅ Also includes utility and phone bill payments
Cons:
❌ Only reports to Experian (not Equifax or TransUnion)
❌ Doesn't affect FICO 8 (older model)
❌ Requires connecting your bank account
Best for: Everyone! If you're only going to use one free service, use this one.
Link: Experian.com/boost
2. Credit Karma (Rent Reporting Through Rental Kharma)
Cost: FREE trial, then $6.95/month
Reports to: TransUnion and Equifax
Score impact: VantageScore
How it works:
- Sign up through Credit Karma
- Verify your rent payments
- Rental Kharma reports to TransUnion and Equifax
Pros:
✅ Reports to 2 bureaus (covers the gap left by Experian Boost)
✅ Easy to use
Cons:
❌ Not truly free (only free trial, then $6.95/month = $83/year)
❌ Doesn't report retroactive payments
Best for: People who want coverage on all 3 bureaus (combine with Experian Boost).
Note: There are fully free alternatives below—this one charges after the trial period.
3. Boom Report
Cost: $0/month for reporting current rent forward (no retroactive)
Reports to: Equifax and Experian
Score impact: FICO 9, VantageScore
How it works:
- Sign up for free
- Upload rent payment proof each month (bank statement or receipt)
- They report to Equifax and Experian
Pros:
✅ Actually free (no hidden fees)
✅ Reports to 2 bureaus
Cons:
❌ Manual uploads (you have to submit proof each month)
❌ No retroactive reporting
❌ More work than Experian Boost
Best for: People who don't mind a little extra work to save money.
Link: BoomReport.com
Best Paid Rent Reporting Services
If you're willing to pay for more features (like retroactive reporting to all 3 bureaus), here are the best paid options:
1. RentTrack
Cost: $6.95 - $9.95/month (depends on plan)
Reports to: All 3 bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Retroactive reporting: Up to 24 months
How it works:
- Sign up and pay monthly fee
- They verify and report your rent payments
- Can report up to 2 years of past payments
Best for: People who want all 3 bureaus + retroactive reporting
2. LevelCredit
Cost: $6.95/month
Reports to: All 3 bureaus
Retroactive reporting: Up to 24 months
How it works:
- Connect your bank account or upload statements
- They report current + past payments
Best for: Similar to RentTrack—full coverage on all bureaus
3. Rental Kharma
Cost: $6.95/month
Reports to: TransUnion and Equifax
Retroactive reporting: Limited
Best for: Filling the gap if you're using Experian Boost (which only reports to Experian)
My Recommended Strategy (100% Free)
Here's what I recommend for most people:
Step 1: Sign up for Experian Boost (free)
- Reports to Experian
- Includes up to 24 months of retroactive rent
- Also adds utility and phone bills
Step 2: Sign up for Boom Report (free)
- Reports to Equifax and Experian
- Manual uploads each month (takes 5 minutes)
Result: Your rent is reported to all 3 bureaus, and you paid $0.
Total cost: $0/year
Coverage: All 3 credit bureaus
Time investment: 5 minutes per month (for Boom Report uploads)
What About Asking Your Landlord to Report?
Some landlords will report rent payments directly to the credit bureaus if you ask nicely. However:
Pros:
✅ Free
✅ Direct from the source
Cons:
❌ Most landlords won't do it (too much hassle)
❌ Even if they agree, they might not follow through consistently
❌ You have no control over the process
My take: Worth asking, but don't count on it. Use a rent reporting service instead.
How Much Will Your Credit Score Increase?
Results vary, but here's what's typical:
If you have NO credit history:
Adding 12+ months of on-time rent payments can help you generate a credit score for the first time (usually 620-660 range).
If you have a thin credit file (1-2 accounts):
You might see a 15-35 point increase from adding rent payments.
If you have established credit (3+ accounts):
You might see a 5-15 point increase (rent matters less when you already have a solid credit history).
If you have bad credit:
Positive rent payments can help offset negative items, potentially adding 10-25 points.
Important: The boost is most significant with VantageScore and newer FICO models (FICO 9+). Older FICO scores won't change as much.
Important Things to Know
1. Late Rent Can Hurt You
If you report your rent and then pay late, that late payment will appear on your credit report and HURT your score.
Only report rent if you consistently pay on time!
2. Not All Lenders Will See It
Some lenders use older scoring models (FICO 8) that don't include rent. Your score boost might not help with every application.
However: It still helps with:
- VantageScore-based decisions (many landlords use this)
- FICO 9 and newer
- Manual underwriting (some lenders look at your full report)
3. You'll Need Proof
Most services require:
- A copy of your lease
- Bank statements showing rent payments
- Landlord contact info
Keep these documents handy when you sign up.
4. Retroactive Reporting is Key
Services like Experian Boost that report PAST rent payments give you instant credit history, which is huge if you're starting from zero.
Alternatives to Rent Reporting
If rent reporting doesn't work for you (or you want even more credit-building), try these:
1. Become an authorized user
Ask a family member to add you to their credit card (instant credit history)
2. Get a secured credit card
Deposit $200-500, use it responsibly, build credit
3. Credit builder loan
$15-100/month payments reported to all 3 bureaus
Combine all of these with rent reporting for maximum results!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will reporting rent hurt my credit if I've been late in the past?
It depends. Some services let you choose how far back to report. If you have late payments in the past year, consider only reporting forward from now on (once you're paying on time).
Can I remove rent reporting if it hurts my score?
Yes, you can usually stop the service and request removal of the reported rent payments. However, once something is on your report, removal isn't guaranteed.
Do I need my landlord's permission?
Most services don't require landlord permission—they verify payments through your bank statements. However, some might contact your landlord for verification.
Will this work if I live with roommates?
Only if your name is on the lease AND you're the one making the rent payments. If your roommate pays and you reimburse them, you can't report it.
Your Action Plan
This Week:
- Sign up for Experian Boost (5 minutes, totally free)
- Add your rent payments (it'll pull up to 24 months automatically)
- Check your Experian credit score in 24 hours (you should see an increase!)
Optional (for full coverage):
- Sign up for Boom Report (free, reports to Equifax)
- Upload your first rent payment proof (takes 5 minutes)
- Set a monthly reminder to upload rent proof
Cost: $0
Time: 10-15 minutes initial setup, 5 minutes/month ongoing
Benefit: Turn your rent into credit-building power!
Keep Building Your Credit
- The Complete Guide to Building Credit in America ← Full strategy
- How to Get Your First Credit Card ← Combine with rent reporting
- Best Credit Monitoring Apps ← Track your score improvement
Are you reporting your rent to build credit? Share your results in the comments!
Last Updated: January 2026
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