What credit score do I need to rent an apartment?

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There is no universal minimum. Many landlords are comfortable with scores around 650 or higher, and scores in the 700s rarely cause problems. Below about 600, expect more questions, a larger deposit or a guarantor. Landlords also look at what is on the report, such as late payments, collections and past rental debt. The score is only one part of the check. A landlord who sees a 620 with one old medical bill in collections may approve you, while a 680 with a recent unpaid balance owed to a previous landlord may be declined. Unpaid rent and broken leases matter most because they are the closest thing to the risk the landlord is trying to avoid. You can check your credit reports from the three major bureaus for free at the official annual credit report site, which is the one federal law set up for this. Do it before you start applying so you can dispute errors, which are more common than people expect. Look for accounts you do not recognize, which could mean identity theft. Check that paid-off debts show a zero balance. Note anything a landlord might ask about, and prepare a short, honest explanation. If your score is borderline, apply where approval depends on a person rather than automatic software. Private landlords and smaller management companies are often more flexible than large complexes.

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