How to Report Payment of Rent to the Credit Bureaus

A consumer credit report documents credit and loan accounts, judgments and collections along with personal information and statements about your credit history, which you can provide at any time for potential creditors, lenders and employers to review. An information provider must report credit information according to the guidelines set forth by each consumer reporting bureau. Any account that is in good standing and paid on time can help to boost your credit score and improve your credit history. While a landlord does not typically report rent payments on a credit report, you may be able to persuade your landlord to do so.

Instructions

1

Write a letter asking your landlord to subscribe to each of the three national credit reporting bureaus. Warn your landlord that subscribing to TransUnion, Experian or Equifax requires a fee.

2

Tell your landlord you wish to have rent payments reported as "alternative credit data" on your credit report. To encourage your landlord to comply with your request, explain that each subscription allows the rental company to report the rental payments of all renters in a building.

3

Remind your landlord that on-time payments are viewed favorably and can boost your credit score.

4

Emphasize your history with the rental company when making your argument. For example, state how many years you've been a tenant.

5

Check your credit report -- as needed -- to track your payments. Enroll in a credit monitoring service to track monthly changes to your credit report.