What Credit Score Do Landlords Look At? Tenant Screening Guide

You start getting applications, and all of a sudden, you’re comparing credit scores. One applicant has a score of 640 and great references, whereas another may have a better score but not as much rental experience. If you’re asking “What credit score do landlords look at?” or “What credit score is good enough to rent a house?” you’re asking the same things that most landlords in Las Vegas do.

A credit score can tell you a lot about how a tenant handles their money, but it’s not the whole story. Screening has gotten increasingly complicated in today’s rental market, especially in Las Vegas. Credit scores are important, but so are things like how stable someone’s income is, their rental history, their past conduct, and how they handle their money.

This article tells you exactly how to complete a credit check on a renter, what figures are important, and how to make better, fairer decisions about who to rent to. The idea is simple: to assist you in keeping your investment safe without turning away good tenants who don’t have a perfect score.

Understanding the Tenant Credit Score Landscape in 2025

In 2025, the average credit score of people applying to rent will be 680, and the probability of eviction will be a little under 6%. That’s a lot more than most landlords know, and it’s been going up steadily since 2022.

Even more interesting? In Colorado and Utah, the average score for applicants is 718 and 710, respectively. In Nevada, we’re right around the national average. This implies that the credit score you need to rent a house can be very different depending on where you live and how much competition there is.

How Can I Run a Credit Check On a Renter?

Using a tenant-screening agency or a consumer-report provider that follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the only way to do a legal and reliable check. Steps that are usually taken:

1. Get written consent on your rental application to perform a credit check.
2. Use a reliable screening service, such as tenant screening platforms, TransUnion/Equifax/Experian consumer reports through a vendor, or property-management software.
3. If you find something bad in the report, you have to go over it with the applicant. The FCRA says that if you decline an application based on credit, you have to give them an adverse-action notification and a copy of the report.

Look for companies that offer credit reports, eviction history, and ID verification all in one place.  That one package cuts down on surprises later.

What Credit Score is Good Enough to Rent a House?

There’s no universal minimum, but here’s a practical guide:

• 740+ — Excellent: very low risk, usually auto-approved for most rentals.
• 670–739 — Good: low risk; consider income and rental history next.
• 600–669 — Fair: acceptable if rent-to-income is healthy and references check out.
• Below 600 — Higher risk: consider additional safeguards (see below).

You can have a flexible policy: instead of a strict cutoff, ask candidates with scores below your targeted level for stronger verification or a cosigner.

What do Landlords Look For in a Credit Report

A score alone misses context. When running a credit check on a tenant, look for:

• Payment history: recurring late payments are red flags.
• Collections & judgments: these indicate unresolved debt that can be a sign of instability.
• Eviction history: some screening services show eviction records — highly relevant.
• High credit utilization: A tenant using nearly all available credit could be financially stressed.
• Thin files: younger applicants or newcomers may have no credit history — treat these cases differently (see “Alternatives” below).

Practical Screening Rules That Actually Work

1. Set a goal for how much rent you want to pay compared to your income. Make sure that the applicant’s gross income is at least 2.5 to 3 times the rent (or change this based on what is happening in the local market). This is generally a better way to tell if someone can pay than just a score.
2. Give more weight to positive actions in the past. An applicant who has had troubles in the past but has been making steady payments lately may be less dangerous than someone who has missed payments on and off.
3. Use the same standards every time. To avoid problems with fair housing, be sure that all applicants follow the same rules.
4. Consider non-credit indicators. References from landlords, job stability, and bank statements are all useful pieces of information.

If The Credit is Low, Options That Reduce Landlord Risk

You don’t have to reject every applicant with a low score. Here are commonly used mitigations:

• Higher security deposit (within state legal limits).
• Co-signer / guarantor — someone with strong credit signs on for rent.
• Shorter lease / probationary term — e.g., 6 months, then reevaluate.
• Rent guarantee or insurance — some companies offer tenant default insurance.
• Automatic payments required — reduces “forgetful payer” risk.

Make sure any extra requirements comply with Nevada law and local ordinances (deposit caps, allowable fees).

Emerging Tools Landlords Should Consider

• Resident-specific rental risk ratings, like the TransUnion Resident Score, look at rental outcomes instead of generic consumer credit. These systems generally use eviction records, payment history, and other rental indications all at once, which can make them more accurate than just a regular FICO score.
• Rent reporting: Promoting or offering rent reporting (which boosts tenants’ credit when they pay on time) will help you get better tenants and keep them longer.

Red Flags that Often Justify a “No.”

• Recent eviction or a current eviction filing.
• Active bankruptcies with unresolved debts impacting the ability to pay.
• No verifiable income or employment.
• False or inconsistent application answers.

If you deny someone because of their credit, you must provide them with the required adverse-action letter and report details so they can contest any mistakes.

Quick Checklist for Landlords Screening Tenants

• Get written consent for a credit check.
• Use an FCRA-compliant screening service.
• Combine credit score with rent-to-income ratio and references.
• Consider mitigation (deposit, cosigner) rather than automatic denial.
• Keep consistent policies, document decisions, and provide required notices if you deny.

Ready to Find Qualified Tenants? Contact Top Tier Realty Today!

A single credit score doesn’t tell you if a tenant is a good fit. In Las Vegas, the best way to do things is always to be fair. Scores are important, but so are income, rental history, and overall dependability. A complete screening approach helps you fill empty spaces faster and keeps your property safe from excessive risk.

Top Tier Realty will help you with tenant screening if you need it. We provide credit checks, verification, and complete evaluations of applicants so you may rent with confidence and in accordance with the law. You can reach us by phone at 702-586-8588, by email, or in person at 2575 Montessouri St #200, Las Vegas, NV 89117. Our team of real estate experts can help you find trustworthy tenants who will take care of your home and pay their rent on time.

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