Renting an apartment is hard, and for millions of Americans, getting approved is the hardest part.
Kikoff and TheGuarantors are teaming up to help renters build credit
We're excited to announce that Kikoff has partnered with TheGuarantors, the nation’s #1 lease guarantee provider provider, to give every renter who applies through their platform a free credit-building package.
Starting now, every individual who applies through TheGuarantors will receive free access to Kikoff's rent reporting tool, whether they're approved for a lease guarantee or not.
This means up to 24 months of past rent payments reported to Equifax and TransUnion, plus ongoing reporting of future on-time payments going forward.
For most renters, monthly rent is their single most significant recurring expense, and until now, those payments were effectively invisible to the credit bureaus.
This partnership changes that.
Why this matters for renters
Roughly 44 million U.S. households rent their homes.
Many of those renters rely on a guarantor service like TheGuarantors because their credit profile doesn't yet meet traditional underwriting standards, not because they're financially irresponsible, but because the credit system hasn't had a way to "see" them yet.
These are individuals who are paying rent on time every month, managing their finances carefully, and doing everything right.
This said, their credit scores often don't reflect that, which creates a gap that has real consequences: higher interest rates, fewer borrowing options, and less negotiating power the next time they're looking for a home.
Rent reporting is one of the most direct ways to close that gap.
By reporting those payments to Equifax and TransUnion, renters can start building the kind of positive payment history that credit scoring models are designed to reward, using money they're already spending.
What's included in the free package
Every TheGuarantors applicant will receive access to Kikoff's rent reporting tool at no cost.
The package includes retroactive reporting of up to 24 months of past rent payments, plus ongoing monthly reporting of future on-time payments to Equifax and TransUnion.
Comparable credit-building tools on the market generally retail for $85 or more, making this a no-brainer for renters looking to get more out of the rent they're already paying.
About TheGuarantors
TheGuarantors is a leading fintech platform that helps renters access housing through lease guarantee products, allowing individuals who might not otherwise meet traditional underwriting requirements to qualify for the apartment they want.
Their platform serves renters across the country and is trusted by 9 of the top 10 property owner-operators. .
The partnership with Kikoff is an extension of TheGuarantors' broader mission: not just helping renters get in the door, but giving them the tools to build a stronger financial future once they're there.
Luckily, that mission lines up exactly with ours.
Conclusion
We believe that every renter deserves a fair shot at building credit, and this partnership is one more step toward making that a reality.
If you're a TheGuarantors applicant, look out for details on how to activate your free Kikoff credit-building package.
And if you want to start building credit today, Kikoff offers plans starting at $5 a month, with a Credit Account that reports to all three major credit bureaus and no hard credit inquiry to sign up.
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