Guide · Money and rent

Building Rental History and Credit

A friendly, practical guide to building a strong rental history and healthy credit, from paying on time and good references to checking your reports and fixing errors.

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5 pages · PDF · 243 KB · free forever, no sign up needed

Where to start

Found an error on a report?
Errors happen, and they can be fixed. See if you find an error.
Applying soon?
Explain past challenges honestly, and ask past owners for references.
Building from the start?
Pay on time and keep records. Start the checklist.

The short version

A good rental history and healthy credit open doors, and both can be built step by step.

Pay rent on time, keep records, care for the home and leave it in good shape.

Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, and dispute any errors.

Explain past challenges honestly, and ask past owners for references.

Screening rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.

Four simple rules

1
Pay on time, every time
On-time rent is the heart of a strong rental history.
2
Care for the home
Leaving a home in good shape earns references that open doors.
3
Check your reports
Review your credit reports, and fix anything that’s wrong.
4
Be honest about the past
A short, honest explanation goes much further than surprises.

Try it

Your habits that build trust checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your path may include others.

0 of 6

Rent paid on time, with reminders or automatic payments if they help
Receipts or records kept for every rent payment
Problems shared early and kindly
Home cared for and left clean and in good shape at move out
Current and past owners asked if they would be willing to be references
Asked whether rent payments can be reported to credit bureaus, if you want that

If you find an error or a problem

Errors happen, and they can be fixed.
Gather proof, like receipts, bank records or letters.
File a dispute with the credit bureau and with the company that reported it.
Keep copies of everything and follow up if you don’t hear back.

You did exactly the right thing.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Move-In Checklist Workbook

Simple, step by step checklists you can write in for moving in: the move in walk, moving day, your first week, utilities, keys and more.

See The Perfect Move-In Checklist Workbook All books in The Perfect Series

Keep the full guide handy

The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.

Download the PDF

From the Bunklow shop

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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, credit or financial advice. For personal advice, please talk with a nonprofit credit counselor. Bunklow does not report credit or screen tenants.