How to rent an apartment in the US with no credit history

Most US landlords check your credit report before they rent to you. If you're new to the country you don't have one yet, which can feel like a dead end. It isn't. Landlords just need another way to see that you can and will pay the rent.

What the landlord really wants to know

Every landlord asks one question: will this person pay on time every month? A credit report is the shortcut. Without it, answer the same question with:

• Proof of income: a job offer letter, recent pay stubs, or a signed letter from your employer.
• Bank statements: the last 2–3 months, showing steady income and savings.
• References: from a previous landlord (abroad counts) or your employer.
• ID: passport, visa or work permit, and your SSN or ITIN if you have one.

Keep everything in one PDF. Showing up to a viewing with your file ready puts you ahead of other applicants.

Use a guarantor

A relative or friend with US credit can co-sign as a guarantor. Landlords often want the guarantor to earn around 80 times the monthly rent per year. If you don't have one, paid guarantor companies will co-sign for a fee, usually a percentage of a year's rent. Read their terms carefully.

New Jersey rules

In New Jersey a security deposit can't be more than 1.5 months' rent. Offering "three months' deposit because I have no credit" goes over the legal limit, and a landlord shouldn't accept it. Use a guarantor and documents instead. Our New Jersey security deposit guide explains the rules.

New York rules

Since 2019, New York caps the security deposit at one month's rent, and application or credit-check fees at $20. Broker-fee rules have also changed in tenants' favor in recent years, so always ask who pays the broker before you apply.

Easier places to start

• Rooms and roommates: individual landlords renting a room care less about credit. A year in a room can build the history you need.
• Turkish landlords: landlords in the community may weigh references and personal trust more.
• Short-term rentals: a few months short-term buys time while you search.

Watch out for scams

A listing that "doesn't need credit" and asks you to send a deposit right away may be a scam. Never pay before you've seen the place and signed a lease, and never pay with gift cards, crypto or wire transfers.

Start building credit now

Your next move will be easier with a credit history. A secured credit card and paying every bill on time are the fastest ways to start.

Note: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you decide. Last checked: October 2026.