Reports your rent payments to TransUnion to build credit history. Average 40-point score increase in first month.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Rent Reporters is a rent reporting service that adds your on-time rent payments to your TransUnion credit report, helping you build credit from payments you're already making. Founded in 2014, the service has helped hundreds of thousands of renters establish or improve their credit profiles.
The service can report up to 24 months of past rent payments plus ongoing monthly payments. According to Rent Reporters, users see an average 40-point credit score increase within the first reporting cycle. This is because rent payments demonstrate consistent, on-time payment behavior — the single biggest factor in your credit score (35% of FICO).
Pricing: The standard plan is $9.95/month with a $49.95 setup fee (includes past payment verification). The annual plan offers a discount. Rent Reporters verifies your rent payments with your landlord or property management company before reporting.
This service is particularly valuable for renters with thin credit files (few accounts), young adults building credit for the first time, and immigrants establishing US credit history. It works alongside other credit-building tools like secured cards and credit builder loans.
Our editors ranked the best secured credit cards of 2026 based on fees, approval odds, bureau reporting, and graduation policies.
Yes. Rent Reporters is a registered company headquartered in San Diego, CA, founded in 2014. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
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CreditDoc Diagnosis
Ideal for Renters wanting to build credit from rent payments and Young adults with thin credit files. Strength: Average 40-point score increase. Watch out for: Only reports to TransUnion (not all 3 bureaus).
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A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example
On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example
You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example
Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
The maximum amount a credit card company allows you to borrow on a single card. Going over this limit can trigger fees and hurt your credit score.
Your credit limit directly affects your utilization ratio. A higher limit with the same spending means lower utilization and a better score. You can request limit increases.
Example
Card A: $3,000 limit, you spend $1,500 = 50% utilization (bad). Card B: $10,000 limit, you spend $1,500 = 15% utilization (good). Same spending, different impact on your score.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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