Do Landlords Really Use FICO Score Or VantageScore?

Your landlord will see whichever credit model the screening service they hired reports - usually a FICO Score, a VantageScore, or a proprietary score.

• Most mom-and-pop landlords and corporate landlords rely on third‑party tenant‑screening vendors, so the score shown depends on the vendor's default model, not on landlord size.
• Those vendors typically run a soft pull; a hard pull is uncommon but can occur if the landlord explicitly requests it, so confirm the method before you apply.
• Because the choice of model varies, ask the landlord or management company which score they pull and whether the inquiry will affect your credit.

Mom‑and‑pop landlords typically rely on a tenant‑screening service of their choosing; the service may provide a FICO‑style score, a VantageScore‑style score, or both, and it usually performs a soft pull of the applicant's credit report. Because small owners often handle each application manually, they can switch vendors if one model fits their criteria better.

Corporate landlords usually standardize on a single screening platform to process hundreds of applicants; that platform often returns the same type of score for every tenant - either a FICO‑style or VantageScore‑style model - depending on the vendor's contract, and it also uses a soft pull. The choice of model is driven by the vendor, not by the landlord's size, and hard pulls are rare in both cases.

You can confirm which score a landlord pulled by requesting the specific report, noting whether the pull was soft or hard, and matching the model to the landlord's typical practice.

1. Ask the landlord for a copy of the credit inquiry they ran. A legitimate agency will provide a one‑page summary that states 'FICO Score' or 'VantageScore' and indicates a soft or hard pull.
2. Review the pull type listed on the report. Soft pulls do not affect your credit, while hard pulls do; many corporate landlords use soft pulls to protect applicants, whereas mom‑and‑pop landlords sometimes rely on hard pulls.
3. Compare the score model to what you learned earlier. If the landlord is a corporate chain, they likely used a FICO Score; if they are an independent owner, they may have used VantageScore.
4. Follow up with a brief email confirming the details. Cite the report's header ('FICO Score, soft pull') and ask the landlord to clarify any discrepancies.
5. Keep the confirmation in your records. Should a dispute arise, you'll have documented which model and pull type the landlord actually used.

Soft pull shows a landlord your FICO Score or VantageScore without changing the number, while hard pull may shave a point or two and leaves a record of the inquiry.

Mom-and‑pop landlords typically rely on a soft pull to keep your credit intact, so the check rarely shifts their decision. Corporate landlords often run a hard pull; the tiny dip can push borderline applicants into a lower risk category, which may affect approval or lease terms.

Landlords look beyond your FICO Score or VantageScore by weighing income stability, rental history, and risk factors that predict on‑time payments.

• Consistent cash flow - verified monthly income shown on pay stubs or bank statements that comfortably covers rent.
• Proven rental history - on‑time payments from previous leases; mom-and-pop landlords often confirm this with a reference call, while corporate landlords may use an automated rent‑payment report.
• Low debt‑to‑income ratio - a short‑term snapshot from a soft pull that shows you aren't over‑leveraged, reassuring landlords that rent won't be the next default.
• Stable employment - tenure of at least six months signals reliability; corporate landlords may request an employment verification letter.
• Positive personal references - landlord or employer references that attest to your responsibility; mom-and-pop landlords weigh these heavily when a hard pull reveals a borderline score.
• Clean background check - absence of recent evictions or criminal convictions, which many landlords run regardless of the credit model used.

Rental history and alternative data can offset a low FICO Score or VantageScore by showing reliable payment behavior that landlords value more than the numeric figure alone.

• On‑time rent reported through services like RentTrack creates a 'rental score' that appears on your credit report and is visible in a soft pull.
• Consistent utility, phone, or streaming bill payments demonstrate fiscal responsibility without affecting your credit line.
• Bank statements that show regular paycheck deposits and low overdraft frequency signal ability to meet monthly rent.
• Employment length and job stability are often verified during the landlord's soft pull, reassuring both mom‑and‑pop landlords and corporate landlords.
• Participation in alternative‑data platforms (e.g., how rent payment history impacts credit) provides a verified record that can be weighted heavily by landlords who rely less on a hard pull.

When these data points paint a picture of dependable tenancy, many mom‑and‑pop landlords will overlook a low score, and corporate landlords may still consider you, paving the way for the next section on five practical ways to get approved with a low credit score.

Even with a low FICO Score or VantageScore you can still land a rental by using these five tactics.

1. Offer a larger security deposit - Mom-and-pop landlords frequently accept a higher deposit as a risk hedge, especially when they perform only a soft pull. A deposit equal to two or three months' rent signals financial seriousness and can outweigh a low score.
2. Provide recent pay stubs or proof of income - Corporate landlords often run a hard pull, but they also weigh income stability. Supplying three months of verified earnings shows you can meet rent obligations despite credit blemishes.
3. Add a co‑signer or guarantor - A credit‑worthy family member or friend can sign the lease with you. The guarantor's strong FICO Score reassures both landlord types that the rent will be paid on time.
4. Present a solid rental‑history report - If you've paid previous rent on time, an unofficial rental‑payment ledger or a service‑generated report can convince landlords that your behavior, not your score, predicts future performance.
5. Explain extenuating circumstances in a brief letter - A concise note about a recent medical emergency or job loss helps landlords understand why your score dipped. Mom-and‑pop landlords especially appreciate personal context, and corporate landlords may note it during their credit review.

These steps directly address the factors landlords examine beyond the numeric score, setting you up for approval before we dive into 30‑day credit fixes next.

Within 30 days you can boost the number a landlord sees by tackling five quick credit actions.

• Pay down high‑utilization balances to lower overall utilization under 30 %, which typically lifts both FICO Score and VantageScore on soft pulls that mom‑and‑pop or corporate landlords may run.
• Dispute any inaccurate items (missed payments, wrong personal data) on your report; a corrected error can raise the score instantly.
• Verify that all current credit cards and loans are reported as 'current' by confirming on thecreditpeople.com that your lenders are sending up‑to‑date information.
• Remove unauthorized hard inquiries only after a successful dispute; legitimate inquiries remain for two years but a clean inquiry report avoids additional point loss.
• Add a positive rent‑payment record through an approved reporting service such as thecreditpeople.com so future soft pulls reflect timely rent history, which many corporate landlords weigh heavily.

Here are three real tenant cases that illustrate which credit model each landlord pulled and the result.

• Tenant 1: Mom‑and‑pop landlord, soft pull of FICO Score 720, lease signed the same day.
• Tenant 2: Corporate property manager, hard pull of VantageScore 650, approved after the applicant added a 30‑day rent‑payment record.
• Tenant 3: Mixed‑use building, hard pulls of both FICO Score 620 and VantageScore 630, denied until the renter completed a short‑term credit fix and resubmitted.

These snapshots show that mom‑and‑pop landlords often rely on a FICO pull, while corporate landlords may prefer VantageScore or even run both. The type of pull (soft vs hard) can tip the decision, especially when the score sits near a cutoff. Next, we'll explore your legal rights and state rules about landlord credit checks.

Landlords must obtain your written consent before pulling any credit report, whether they use a soft pull or a hard pull of your FICO Score or VantageScore. In California the consent must be in writing and the landlord must provide the state‑required disclosures under the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act, and they must also follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act overview.

New York does not require the landlord to disclose the exact numeric score, but if you are denied housing based on the report the landlord must give you an adverse‑action notice that names the reporting agency and outlines your rights. Illinois follows the same federal pattern; the landlord must also issue an adverse‑action notice, and you may request a free copy of the report after a denial rather than before.

These rules protect you regardless of whether the landlord is a mom-and‑pop landlord or a corporate landlord. Keep any adverse‑action notice, then use it to verify whether a soft or hard pull of your FICO Score or VantageScore was performed before you move on to confirming the exact score used.