Follow these proven strategies to boost your score and stand out to landlords.
On-time payments are the most significant factor in your Rental Score — each one earns +10 points. Paying rent consistently by the due date demonstrates reliability and builds trust. A single late payment costs −10 points, and an unpaid month costs −30 points, so planning ahead is essential.
The length of your positive payment history shows consistency and reliability. Each on-time month earns +10 points, and a longer track record gives landlords more confidence in your reliability. Start building your history today — each consecutive month of on-time payments builds your streak and strengthens your score.
Your consistency score measures your overall pattern of reliability. Only consecutive on-time payments count toward your streak — partial, late, or unpaid months reset it to zero. Focus on maintaining your streak — every month counts toward a stronger pattern.
Keeping your rent within 30% of your gross monthly income demonstrates financial responsibility. A healthy rent-to-income ratio shows you have sufficient resources to consistently meet your rent obligations without financial strain.
If you're noticing a discrepancy in your score, there may be errors in your payment history. It's important to first ensure all your payments are tracked correctly. Check your payment records, verify each transaction, and contact your landlord to flag and resolve any discrepancies.
Review & Dispute Records →If you have unpaid months on your record (−30 points each), catching up on that balance can reclassify those months from Unpaid to Late (−10 points each) — restoring +20 points per month. Payments are always applied to the oldest unpaid balance first. A single lump sum payment can reclassify multiple months at once.
Example: If you missed 2 months at $1,500 each (−60 points), paying $3,000 to cover both months reclassifies them from Unpaid to Late, restoring +40 points to your score.
Small habits that add up to a great score over time
Set calendar alerts, phone notifications, and email reminders so you never miss a payment date.
Ensure your bank info and card details are current to avoid failed transactions.
Create a monthly budget that puts rent payment first to ensure funds are always available.
Save confirmation emails and receipts as evidence of all payments made on time.
Save 3 months of rent in a separate account to handle unexpected situations without missing payments.
Check your Renter Score dashboard often to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Here's what to expect as you build your rental history
Set up automatic payments and make your first on-time payment (+10 points). Verify all records are accurate and establish your baseline score of 550.
Build an on-time payment streak. With +10 per month, you'll move from Fair (550) into the Good range (650+) during this period. Each consecutive on-time payment strengthens your record.
With 20+ consecutive on-time payments, you'll cross into the Excellent range (750+). Your Rental Score becomes a strong, verified asset in rental applications.
Reach a positive rental score history. Your track record speaks for itself — share your score with confidence when applying for new rentals.
Every on-time payment brings you closer to an excellent Rental Score. Take control of your renter history with smart payment habits.