Renting with bad credit: your options

By Sam Kane · Last checked 9 October 2026 · Covers England only

Yes, you can rent with bad credit. There is no minimum credit score for renting, and landlords do not see your score. They mainly look for serious problems on public record, such as a county court judgment (CCJ) or bankruptcy. If you have one, a guarantor, proof of income or a landlord who does fewer checks can still get you a home.

The renting rules in this guide are for England. The credit facts apply across the UK.

The short version

What counts as bad credit for renting?

“Bad credit” usually means something on your file that makes a landlord think you may struggle to pay. Shelter lists the things that most often cause a failed check:

A low score in an app is not the same thing, and there is no minimum credit score to rent. Experian says landlords do not see your score. Late payments on a credit card, for example, usually do not show in a landlord’s check.

So “bad credit” for renting is mostly about public records. Read credit checks for renting for exactly what a landlord sees.

Can I rent with a CCJ?

Often, yes, but it can be harder. Some agents turn down anyone with a CCJ. Others look at how old it is, how much it was and whether you have paid it.

Some facts that help:

Show the agent proof that a CCJ is paid, and explain what happened.

Can I rent after bankruptcy or an IVA?

Yes, but expect more questions. Shelter lists bankruptcy as a common reason for failing a check. A guarantor or proof of steady income will help most. The Insolvency Service says bankruptcy stays on your credit file for 6 years. Experian says an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) stays on your file for 6 years from the date it starts.

How to rent with bad credit: step by step

  1. Check your own credit file first. Every agency must give you your statutory credit report for free. Look at your file with each credit reference agency, because they do not always hold the same information. Fix any mistakes.
  2. Add a notice of correction if something needs explaining, for example a debt you fell behind on during an illness. A notice of correction is a short note on your file. Lenders and landlords who check can read it.
  3. Register to vote at your address. Not being on the electoral register is one of the most common reasons for failing a check.
  4. Be honest with the agent before you pay a holding deposit. Shelter says you could lose your holding deposit if you hold back information. If you are honest and still fail, you should usually get it back.
  5. Line up a guarantor. See rent guarantors.
  6. Gather proof you can pay: payslips, an employment contract, savings, or bank statements that show rent paid on time.
  7. Ask your current landlord for a reference. A good landlord reference can matter more than your credit file.

Options if you fail the credit check

A guarantor

A friend or family member agrees to pay your rent if you do not. Landlords cannot charge you a fee for needing one.

A council or charity rent guarantee scheme

Some councils and charities offer schemes that guarantee your rent or help with a deposit. Ask your local council’s housing team what is available where you live.

A guarantor company

These businesses act as your guarantor for a fee. Read the terms and the cost carefully before you sign.

Rent in advance

In the past, some renters with bad credit paid 6 or 12 months up front. That is no longer possible in England. Since 1 May 2026, a landlord can ask for no more than 1 month’s rent in advance, and only after you sign the tenancy agreement. Once the tenancy has started, your landlord cannot make you pay rent before it is due. The government says you are still free to pay early if you choose to.

A landlord who lets the home themselves

Shelter and Citizens Advice say private landlords who do not use an agent often run fewer checks. Local social media groups and word of mouth can help you find them.

Help from your council

If you are at risk of becoming homeless, contact your local council’s housing team. They may have a duty to help you.

Your rights while you look

How to rebuild your credit while you rent

Bad credit does not last for ever. Most negative information leaves your file after 6 years, says MoneyHelper. Meanwhile, you can add good information.

  1. Stay on the electoral register at each new address.
  2. Pay every bill on time, including your phone contract and any credit you have.
  3. Deal with debt. Free debt advice from MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice can help you make a plan. For how scores are worked out and what moves them, see Wollit’s guide to credit score ranges in the UK.
  4. Get your rent reported. Rent is usually missing from your credit file. When it is reported, Experian includes it in your score and Equifax adds it to your file. Experian says paying rent on time can improve your Experian score once it is reported. See how Report My Rent works.

Read more in rent and your credit file.

Common questions

Can I rent with a CCJ that is paid?

Often, yes. Show the agent proof it is paid. A CCJ paid in full within one month of the judgment is removed from the register. One paid later stays for 6 years but is marked as paid.

Will a rental credit check lower my score?

No. Landlords use a soft search, which does not affect your score.

Can I rent with a default on my credit file?

Often, yes. Landlords’ checks usually show public records, not defaults on credit accounts. A default stays on your file for 6 years, and can affect other credit you apply for.

Can I pay 6 months’ rent up front to get a home?

Not in England any more. A landlord can accept no more than 1 month’s rent in advance.

Is it easier to rent through a private landlord than an agent?

It can be. Shelter says landlords who let homes themselves often do fewer checks.

Where can I get free help?

Shelter and Citizens Advice give free housing advice. MoneyHelper and Citizens Advice give free debt advice.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

You already do the hard part.

You pay your rent every month. From now on, your credit file can show it.

a month