How to Add Rent to Your Credit Report

If you’re paying rent on time every month, you’re already showing that you can follow one of the most important aspects of building credit, which is making consistent, on-time payments. The problem is that most landlords don’t report rent payments, which means you don’t get credit for your positive financial activity. 

The good news is that you can add rent to your credit report with the right tools. Over time, reporting on-time rent payments can positively impact your score and how lenders view you. 

Here’s how to add rent to your credit report and strengthen your financial profile by documenting the positive actions you’re already taking. 

How to add rent to your credit report

Landlords don’t usually report rent payments to the credit bureaus, which means you’ll need a third-party service to verify and report your rent. Here’s how it works:

• Sign up for a rent reporting service
• Link your payment method
• Verify your rental details
• Start building payment history

Third-party payment reporters have to verify your rent payments, which means you will usually have to link your bank account. While these platforms are secure, the idea of linking your account can be a bit unsettling to some consumers. With that in mind, make sure you choose a reputable service provider so you know your data is protected. 

Does rent reporting actually help your credit?

Rent reporting for credit can strengthen your financial profile and eventually boost your score. Payment history is one of the most important factors used to calculate your credit score. Reporting on-time rent payments adds positive activity. Additionally, documenting your rent payments helps expand a thin or non-existent credit file. 

However, not all scoring models weigh rent payments the same way. If you are late on payments and it gets reported, your score could drop. Additionally, some lenders may not consider rent tradelines as heavily as traditional credit accounts. Despite these concerns, signing up for rent reporting is still a good idea. 

Which credit bureaus accept rent payment data 

There are three major credit bureaus in the United States, including:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

While all three credit bureaus accept reports about rent payments, not all reporting services send data to all three. Some report to only one bureau, whereas others may report to two or all three bureaus. 

When comparing rent reporting services, find out which credit bureaus they work with. You could sign up for more than one rent reporting service to get your positive payment activity to all bureaus. 

You should also consider how much a rent reporting service charges. Some services are free, while others may charge a small reporting fee. 

Services that report rent to credit bureaus 

If you’re serious about adding rent to your credit report, it’s important to choose the right solution. Make sure to look into your rent reporting for credit options. 

Dedicated rent reporting services

A rent reporting company focuses specifically on reporting rent payments. Typically, these companies don’t offer other tools or services. A few options include:

• RentTrack
• PayYourRent
• Rental Kharma
• Self (Formerly LevelCredit)

Most of these services charge a monthly fee. On the plus side, they offer optional back-reporting for past rent payments. Many of them report to more than one credit bureau, which can help improve your overall credit profile. 

If all you’re looking for is rent reporting, check out these options. You can start taking credit for on-time rent payments and boost your score over time. 

Credit-building platforms with rent reporting

Some platforms bundle rent reporting with other credit-building tools. Kikoff is a great example. This platform offers verified rent reporting to Equifax. You can also include past payments to give your profile a quick boost.

Signing up is easy. You can get started without a hard credit inquiry and choose from a variety of free tools and paid options. Kikoff offers a few different paid subscription tiers, which give you access to extra tools. Features include:

• A paid credit service
• Rent reporting 
• Secured credit card
• Invite-only credit builder loan
• Free dispute tools and debt negotiation 
• Private protection

Signing up for a versatile credit-building tool gives you more options for strengthening your score. You can claim on-time rent payments and explore other features that support your financial goals. 

Conclusion

Rent is usually the largest payment you make each month, and rent reporting turns it into credit history you're otherwise not getting.

Most landlords don't report on their own, so you'll need a third-party service that verifies your payments and sends them to the bureaus. Compare options on which bureaus they cover, what they cost, and whether they allow back-reporting of past payments.

Just make sure you stay current, since reported rent works both ways once it's on your file.

Kikoff gives eligible users verified rent reporting, including past payments, and access to a Kikoff Credit Account with no hard credit check to sign up.

Build credit with Kikoff and build credit responsibly with Kikoff's plans.