What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment in Maryland?
If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Maryland, your credit score isn’t just a number-it’s often the first gatekeeper between you and your new place. Landlords don’t just glance at your income or employment history; they check your credit report to see if you’ve paid bills on time, how much debt you carry, and whether you’ve had past evictions or collections. But what score do you actually need? There’s no single magic number, but knowing the range helps you prepare-and sometimes even negotiate.
Most Landlords in Maryland Look for 620 or Higher
The most common minimum credit score landlords in Maryland require is around 620. That’s the baseline you’ll see listed in over 60% of rental listings across Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville, and Annapolis. It’s not a hard rule, but it’s the standard most property management companies use to filter applicants quickly. A score below 600 often gets flagged automatically by screening software, even if you have a great job or a co-signer.
Why 620? Because it’s the threshold where lenders and landlords see you as a low-risk tenant. At that level, you’re statistically less likely to miss rent payments. According to a 2024 survey by the National Multifamily Housing Council, tenants with scores above 620 had a 38% lower chance of late payments compared to those below 580.
What If Your Score Is Below 620?
Don’t panic. Many landlords still rent to people with scores between 580 and 619-especially if you can make up for it elsewhere. A few strategies work reliably in Maryland:
- Pay more upfront: Offering three months’ rent instead of one can ease concerns. Some landlords will accept this in lieu of a higher credit score.
- Bring a co-signer: If a parent or close relative with a score over 700 is willing to guarantee your lease, your application becomes much stronger.
- Show steady income: If you’ve been at the same job for two years and make three times the rent, that carries weight. Bring pay stubs and a letter from your employer.
- Provide rental references: If you’ve rented before and never missed a payment, get written references from past landlords. A solid track record can outweigh a low score.
Some smaller, independent landlords-especially those managing single-family homes or duplexes-don’t use automated screening tools. They’ll talk to you in person. That’s your chance to explain a past credit issue, like medical debt or a job loss during the pandemic. Honesty and preparation matter more than you think.
What’s on Your Credit Report? It’s Not Just the Score
Landlords don’t just look at your FICO score. They pull a full rental credit report, which includes:
- Open collections or charge-offs
- Previous evictions (even if paid)
- High credit utilization (using over 80% of your available credit)
- Recent hard inquiries (too many loan or credit card applications in 6 months)
- Bankruptcies or judgments
One person with a 610 score got approved in Columbia, Maryland, because their report showed no evictions, no collections, and only one late payment from 2020. Another person with a 640 score was denied because they had two unpaid medical bills still showing as collections. The score tells part of the story-but the details tell the rest.
How to Check Your Credit Before Applying
You’re entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com-it’s the only official site. Don’t use third-party sites that ask for credit card info.
Look for errors like:
- Accounts you didn’t open
- Late payments that were actually on time
- Debts that were paid off but still listed as unpaid
If you find a mistake, dispute it immediately. Resolving an error can raise your score by 50+ points in as little as 30 days. That could be the difference between getting approved or getting rejected.
Other Requirements Beyond Credit
Credit isn’t the only thing landlords check. In Maryland, most applications also require:
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements showing consistent deposits)
- Government-issued ID
- Rental history (contact info for previous landlords)
- Background check (criminal record, especially for violent offenses or drug-related convictions)
- Proof of renters insurance
Some complexes in Montgomery County or Prince George’s County also require a non-refundable application fee-usually $40 to $75. That fee covers the cost of running your credit and background check. It’s not optional, and it’s not refundable even if you’re denied.
How to Improve Your Credit Fast
If you’re planning to rent in the next 3 to 6 months, here’s what actually works:
- Pay all bills on time-even small ones like phone or gym memberships. Late payments hurt more than you realize.
- Lower your credit utilization. If you’re using $2,000 of a $3,000 limit, pay down $500. That alone can jump your score 20-40 points.
- Ask for a credit limit increase on an old card you don’t use much. Don’t spend more-just increase the available limit to lower your utilization ratio.
- Use a secured credit card if you have no credit. Put down $300, use it for one coffee a week, pay it off in full. Do this for 6 months and your score will climb.
- Don’t open new accounts while applying for apartments. Each hard inquiry drops your score by 5-10 points.
One tenant in Silver Spring raised her score from 578 to 635 in four months by following just those five steps. She got approved for a two-bedroom apartment in a building that previously turned her down.
What’s the Worst You Can Do?
Here are the top three mistakes people make when applying:
- Applying to too many places at once. Each application triggers a hard credit check. Five applications in two weeks can drop your score by 30+ points. Apply to one or two at a time.
- Not checking your report. You might be denied because of an old error you didn’t know about. Always check before you apply.
- Lying about income. Landlords verify pay stubs and bank deposits. If you fake it, you’ll get caught-and you could be blacklisted from future rentals.
Final Tip: Know Your Rights in Maryland
Maryland law says landlords can’t discriminate based on source of income. That means if you’re using Section 8 housing vouchers, a disability benefit, or child support, they can’t refuse you just because it’s not a paycheck. They can still check your credit, but they can’t say, “We don’t take vouchers.”
Also, if you’re denied because of your credit report, the landlord must give you a written notice with the name and contact info of the credit bureau they used. You’re then entitled to a free copy of that report within 60 days.
Is 580 a good enough credit score to rent an apartment in Maryland?
A 580 score is below the typical minimum of 620, but it’s not impossible. Landlords who use automated screening tools may reject you automatically. However, smaller landlords or those managing individual homes may still consider you if you can show strong income, offer extra rent upfront, or bring a co-signer with good credit. Your credit report’s details matter more than the number alone.
Can you rent an apartment with no credit history in Maryland?
Yes, but it’s harder. No credit history means no score, which looks like risk to landlords. You’ll need to prove reliability another way: provide bank statements showing consistent savings, get letters from employers or previous landlords, or offer to pay several months upfront. Some landlords accept alternative credit data, like on-time utility or phone bill payments.
How long do late payments stay on your credit report for rental purposes?
Late payments stay on your credit report for seven years from the date they occurred. However, their impact fades over time. A late payment from 2020 matters much less than one from last month. Landlords focus more on recent behavior-especially anything in the last 12 to 24 months.
Do all apartments in Maryland run credit checks?
Almost all apartment complexes and property management companies do. Smaller landlords who own one or two units may skip it, especially if they know you personally or you’ve lived in the area for years. But if you’re applying through a leasing office, a credit check is standard-and usually non-negotiable.
Can you rent an apartment in Maryland with a past eviction?
It’s difficult, but not impossible. Most screening services flag evictions automatically. Some landlords will consider you if the eviction was over five years ago, you’ve rebuilt your credit since, and you can show stable income. Offering a higher security deposit or a co-signer can help. Be upfront about it-hiding it will get you denied or even banned from future applications.
