Rent reporting: Can paying rent build your credit score?

Quick answer: Paying rent on time can improve your Experian Credit Score, if your rent is being reported. This doesn’t happen automatically. When rent is reported to Experian, we’ll add it to your credit report and include it when calculating your score.

If you pay your rent on time and your rental payments are being reported to credit reference agencies, like Experian, it can help you build your credit score. You’ll need to make sure your rental payments are being reported, since that doesn’t happen automatically. Landlords and tenants can report rent through the Rental Exchange scheme or through rent reporting providers.

Different credit reference agencies will use your rental data in different ways. When rent is reported to Experian, we’ll add it to your credit report and include it when calculating your score. Read on to learn how to report your rental payments and better your score with Experian.

Does paying rent help with credit applications?

It can, if your rent is being reported and you’re making payments on time. If your rent is being reported to us, we’ll add it to your credit report. When you apply for credit, lenders can look at information on your report when deciding whether to lend to you. It’s up to the lenders what information on your credit report they use. For some lenders, if they see a history of on-time rent payments, they may be more likely to approve you for things like loans, cards and car finance.

Does rent affect my credit score?

Experian’s new 1250 credit score includes rent payments that are reported to us. Paying rent on time improves your score while late payments lower it. Rent payments that aren’t reported won’t affect your score. Other credit reference agencies calculate different credit scores for you, which may not include your rent.

How are rent payments reported to Experian?

Landlords and managing agents can report rent payments to credit reference agencies like Experian through the Rental Exchange scheme and its partners. The Rental Exchange scheme is free for tenants and landlords. It was set up by Experian and Big Issue Invest to make credit fairer for people who don’t own their home. Tenants can also report their rent payments directly through companies that offer rent reporting services.

Rental Exchange Scheme partners and rent reporting companies need to have six months of payment history before they report your rental payments to Experian. You can’t add past payments, so it will take at least six months from the time you set up rent reporting before your rental payments are included in your Experian Credit Score.

How to add rent to your credit report

You can report rent payments yourself using services from CreditLadder , Canopy , Emma , Wollit or UpliftMoney . These companies don’t collect rent from you — they simply check your rent payments through your bank. You’ll need to give them permission to see the payments.

Another option is to ask your landlord or managing agent to report your rent directly to the Rental Exchange scheme. You can do this if:

• You are a council or social housing tenant
• You rent privately and your landlord or managing agent has over 500 properties

Download the free Experian app to see if we’ve added rent payments to your credit report and check how it affects your score.

How to build your credit score with rent payments

To improve your score with rent payments, make sure you:

• Set up reporting in advance. Ask your landlord to report rent payments or do it yourself using a service like CreditLadder , Canopy , Emma , Wollit or UpliftMoney . You can’t report rent payments from the past, and you need to submit six months of payment data, or a valid tenancy agreement, before it gets reported to Experian.
• Pay rent in full and on time. Lenders may see this as a sign you’re more likely to pay them back. Late rent payments will lower your score if they’re reported.
• Pay your landlord or letting agent directly. If you give the money to a flatmate who pays for you, the payment can’t be added to your credit report. The rent payments must come from a bank account in your name. A joint bank account is usually okay — just be aware that opening a joint bank account with someone creates a financial association, linking your credit report to theirs.
• Keep your details up to date. If you’ve created an account with a company like CreditLadder, make sure your information stays up to date, including things like your rent due date and bank account.
• Check your rent payments are being recorded. View your free report with the Experian app to make sure everything’s in order. You might need to wait a few weeks before your rent payments are added to your credit report. You’ll normally see rent payments added to your credit report within 8 weeks.

Credit Score Expert

Our credit score expert says

Rent can be added to credit reports, and more lenders are looking at this information. We've updated the Experian Credit Score to reflect this. Now you can improve your score by paying rent on time and getting it reported to us. John Webb, Experian UK

Who can see rent payments on my credit report?

Rent payments on your credit report may be seen by companies when they do a credit check. Lenders do a check when you apply for credit like a loan or mortgage. Other companies who can search your report include landlords, utility providers, insurance providers and some employers. Lenders and other companies need your permission to do a credit check.

Landlords who are part of the Rental Exchange scheme may also be able to see rental payments made to other landlords in the scheme.

What’s a rental credit check?

A rental credit check is when a landlord or letting agent searches information on your credit report to help them decide whether to rent a property to you. They need your permission — but if you say no, they may decide not to accept you.

A rental credit check is a ‘soft’ check. This means it doesn’t show all the information on your report and won’t affect your score.

Does paying rent late affect your credit?

Late rent payments can lower your credit score — but only if your rent is being reported to credit reference agencies. Ask your landlord if they’re reporting rent and check your free credit report. Late rent affects credit in much the same way as other late payments. The record will stay on your report for six years, but it’ll have less impact on your score over time. If you miss a rent payment, try to pay it as soon as possible to avoid lowering your score further. It’s worth learning what affects your score so you can try and increase it again.

Do rent arrears affect my credit score?

Rent arrears (rent that’s late and still unpaid) can lower your score, but only if it’s reported to credit reference agencies, like Experian. Your score will go down each time a missed payment is added to your credit report. In some cases, a landlord might apply for a county court judgment (CCJ) which can lower your score further. You can stop a CCJ affecting your score by paying it off straight away.

Having trouble paying rent? MoneyHelper explains ways to deal with rent arrears. Here are a few steps to consider:

• Talk to your landlord. See if you can work out a temporary arrangement where you pay what you can afford.
• Check if you can get benefits. You may be eligible for government benefits like Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or money towards your energy bills.
• Try applying for a grant. Some charities offer one-time grants that you don’t have to pay back. Search for grants on the Turn2Us website .
• Get advice from a debt charity. StepChange offers free, independent advice and can help you work out your next steps.

Rent reporting: frequently asked questions

Got more questions about how credit scores and renting work? Here are the answers to some common ones we get asked.

Do rental credit checks affect my score?

No, landlords and letting agents only do soft credit checks which help them check your identity but don’t harm your score. To help the check go smoothly, register to vote at your current address and make sure the details on your credit report are up to date.

Does being a rent guarantor affect my credit score?

Not usually. Your score won’t be affected if the person you’re guaranteeing pays their rent on time. If they fall behind on rent, the landlord may ask you to pay — and if you don’t, they might take out a county court judgment against you, which will lower your score unless you pay it straight away. We recommend understanding the risks of being a guarantor before agreeing to it.

Does paying rent with a credit card affect my credit score?

It depends on how you use your credit card. If you pay off your card in full every month, your score should improve over time. If you owe money on your card for months, your score will go down. It’s worth knowing that cards often have expensive interest rates. Also, many landlords don’t accept credit cards for rent.

Can a landlord report to credit reference agencies?

Yes. Landlords and letting agents can report rent directly through the Rental Exchange scheme if they have 500+ properties, or through a partner if they have fewer than 500 properties. More than 200 social housing providers are also reporting to the Rental Exchange.

Should I report my rent to credit reference agencies?

If you’re confident you can pay rent on time, reporting rent can be a good way to improve your credit score. If you think you might miss payments, it’s probably wise to find a different way to build your score. Consider reporting everyday payments like council tax and digital subscriptions with Experian Boost, which will never lower your score.*

*Not all credit scores will increase with Boost. Not all lenders use Boost.

Do I need my landlord’s permission to report rent to Experian?

No. You can report rent yourself using a Rental Exchange partner like CreditLadder or Canopy. You don’t need your landlord’s permission.

How long will rent payments stay on my credit report?

Rent payments added to your report will stay there for six years, whether they were paid on time, late or never paid. As they age, they’ll have less impact on your score.

There’s incorrect rent on my credit report — what can I do?

If there’s an error on your report, contact the credit reference agency that gave you the report. If it was Experian, you can ask for a notice of correction.