Which FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) Score Do Apartments Use?

Most landlords rely on the applicant's FICO score because the tenant‑screening services they subscribe to pull the three‑bureau credit report and display the latest FICO 8 (or 9) number; this is the metric most property managers see when they approve a lease (how landlords use credit scores).

A minority of owners, especially those using low‑cost or niche platforms, may accept a non‑FICO bureau score such as VantageScore or a proprietary risk rating; in those cases the landlord looks at the score the screening service provides rather than the FICO figure.

Property managers typically see the Experian FICO Score 5 when they run a tenant‑screening report.

The Experian FICO Score 5 is the consumer‑grade model built on the Experian credit bureau file. It is part of the three‑bureau 'FICO Score 2‑4‑5' family, where each version mirrors the scoring logic of its respective bureau. Unlike the newer FICO Score 8 (TransUnion) used by many credit‑card issuers, the Score 5 is the version most screening vendors pull because it aligns with the data they already receive from Experian.

In practice, a landlord using services such as RentPrep, Buildium, or AppFolio will see a single three‑digit number labeled 'FICO score' on the applicant's report. For example, the report might read 'FICO Score 5: 635 (Good)' or 'FICO Score 5: 712 (Very Good)'.

The platform may also show a brief risk band (e.g., 'Low risk' vs. 'High risk'), but the underlying figure is always the Experian FICO Score 5 unless the property manager explicitly requests a different bureau's version. This is the score most landlords base their rental decisions on in the sections that follow.

Tenant‑screening services pull your credit file, run the FICO version the landlord has chosen (most often FICO 8 or FICO 9), and embed that number in a concise rental report that landlords review. Landlords typically see the score, a risk‑grade and a brief approval recommendation, while the full credit report stays hidden unless they ask for it.

• Data pull: the service queries Experian, Equifax or TransUnion using your SSN and address.
• Score calculation: it applies the selected FICO algorithm; some providers add a rental‑specific 'screening score' such as TransUnion SmartMove screening score.
• Report format: the numeric FICO score appears alongside a letter grade (A‑D) or color code (green‑red) and a pass/fail flag.
• Additional metrics: payment‑history summary, debt‑to‑income ratio, and recent inquiries give context.
• Landlord view: most landlords look only at the score, grade and recommendation; they can request the full credit file for deeper review.

Most landlords accept renters with a FICO score of 600 or higher; roughly 70 % set the floor at 600, and many competitive markets raise the threshold to 650. As noted earlier, screening services report the latest 2023 version of the FICO score, so landlords see that number directly.

If your score lands below the 600‑650 band, most landlords shift focus to income verification, rental‑payment history, and a larger security deposit - topics covered in the next section what landlords value more than your FICO score.

Most landlords care more about your income stability, rental history, and debt‑to‑income ratio than any specific FICO score. They use those factors to gauge whether you'll pay rent on time.

• Consistent monthly income that meets or exceeds two to three times the rent, which shows you can afford the unit.
• A clean rental history with no evictions and documented on‑time payments, proving you've been a reliable tenant.
• A low debt‑to‑income ratio, typically below 40 %, indicating you aren't overextended financially.
• Steady employment for at least six months, signaling job stability and future paycheck reliability.
• Positive references from previous landlords or employers, adding personal credibility beyond the credit report.
• Willingness to offer a larger security deposit or a co‑signer, which can offset a lower FICO score in the landlord's eyes.

Even if your FICO score falls below the typical 620‑650 range that most screening services (using FICO Score 2 or occasionally Score 8) expect, five quick moves can lift your rental approval odds.

1. Trim revolving balances - Pay down credit‑card debt until your utilization drops below 30 % (ideally 10 %). Lower utilization shows up on your next FICO calculation within a month.
2. Dispute report errors - Review your credit reports, flag any inaccurate entries, and file disputes with the bureaus. Corrections often add points in as little as 30 days.
3. Offer a higher security deposit - Propose an extra month's rent or a prepaid lease. Many landlords accept this trade‑off for a lower FICO score.
4. Add a strong co‑signer - Secure a co‑signer whose FICO score meets the 620‑650 benchmark. Screening services usually treat the co‑signer's score as part of the application.
5. Show solid income and rental history - Provide recent pay stubs, bank statements, and letters from previous landlords confirming on‑time payments. Consistent cash flow and a clean rental record can outweigh a low score in the landlord's risk model.

If your FICO score falls below the typical 600‑650 floor, a qualified co‑signer or a sizable security deposit can often turn a denial into an approval.

• Co‑signer requirements - Most landlords accept a co‑signer whose own FICO score is 700 or higher and who can show steady income covering both tenants.
• Deposit size - A security deposit of at least two months' rent, or roughly $2,500 - $5,000 in many markets, signals lower risk to the property manager.
• Score 580‑599 - A strong co‑signer usually satisfies the requirement; a large deposit may work for low‑risk apartments but is less reliable.
• Score below 580 - Most landlords still demand both a high‑credit co‑signer and an above‑average deposit before approving.
• Specialty housing - Luxury complexes and subsidized units often keep the 600‑minimum rule even with extra cash, so a co‑signer becomes essential.

Secure the co‑signer or boost the deposit, then move on to learn how to dispute a rental denial if you still hit a wall.

Dispute a rental denial by first requesting the exact credit report the landlord's screening service used, then challenging any inaccuracies directly with the credit bureaus.

Ask the property manager for the denial letter and the version of the FICO score (typically FICO 8 or 9) that triggered the decision. Order the free report from each bureau, mark the erroneous item, and file a dispute online or by certified mail, attaching proof such as loan statements or payment receipts.

After the bureaus confirm the correction, send the updated report to the screening company and ask the landlord to reassess your application; if the denial persists, request a written explanation so you can decide whether to provide a co‑signer or a larger deposit.

Different credit bureaus often report a different FICO score for the same person, so the number a landlord sees can vary depending on which bureau the tenant‑screening service pulls. If one bureau shows a 660 and another a 620, you might clear the typical 650 minimum for most apartments in one case and be denied in the other.

These gaps arise because each bureau receives updates on different dates, includes or excludes certain accounts, and may apply a slightly different FICO version. Most screening services use Experian, but some rely on TransUnion or Equifax, meaning a low score on a non‑primary bureau can still affect approval for luxury or subsidized housing where higher thresholds are common.

Student apartments typically accept FICO scores in the 580‑600 range, often supplementing a modest score with proof of enrollment, a parental co‑signer, or a higher income‑to‑rent ratio; luxury complexes typically require a FICO of 650 or higher - many demand 700+, expect a strong credit limit and a 3‑to‑1 income‑to‑rent ratio, and may run additional checks such as VantageScore for fine‑tuning;

subsidized or HUD‑assisted units typically prioritize income eligibility over credit, so most landlords will approve tenants with scores as low as 500‑600 provided the applicant meets the program's earnings ceiling and may request a larger security deposit or a guarantor, while still using the same FICO reports discussed in the earlier section on minimum scores.