Build your credit by paying rent
With CreditClimb, your on-time payments are reported to credit bureaus to help you build credit while you rent.
There’s no hard pulls on your credit or hidden fees, plus late or missed rent is never reported.
How to report your rent payments
You can report up to 24 months of past rent payments to the same landlord through Zillow (for free) or use our new tool, CreditClimb, with our partner Esusu (for a $20 annual membership fee). Both programs offer a secure way of building your credit when you pay rent.
Free rent reporting with Zillow
Ask your landlord to pay rent with Zillow and get access to free rent reporting. Paying rent online is also free with a direct bank transfer.
CreditClimb
Join over 5 million renters who are enrolled in credit building with Zillow’s trusted partner, Esusu.
How does rent reporting work?
Rent reporting turns your on-time rent payments into positive credit history. Just like when you secure a new loan or make an on-time credit card payment, your credit history will reflect each on-time payment you make. It’s a simple way to build credit history while you rent.
Prepare for the future
Rent reporting can help you start building a credit profile that supports your future home buying goals, without taking on debt.
Build positive credit history
Esusu renters have seen an average +45 increase in their credit scores.*
Why should I report my rent?
By reporting your rent to the major credit bureaus, you can turn those on-time payments into a simple, effective way to build credit. Rent reporting adds positive payment history to your credit file, helping you build a stronger foundation for future credit opportunities. Plus, it helps you build credit without taking on new debt, giving you more options for the future.
Watch the video to learn more about credit and why it’s important.
Start reporting your rent today
Reporting on-time rent payments helps build your credit. It’s a way to get credit for paying your rent on time.
Learn more about rent reporting
Want to learn more about what your credit can do for you? Read up on how your credit score can help you get home in the future.
Earn a higher credit score in 8 steps
View our step-by-step guide to improving your credit score for your home buying needs.
What credit score is needed to buy a house?
Learn how your credit score helps lending institutions decide your lending terms.
Setting a budget in today’s market
Decide how much of your monthly income you can pay toward your rent.
How to build your credit
Building credit can seem more complex than it is. Learn how to build yours.
Learn more about rent reporting
Want to learn more about what your credit can do for you? Read up on how your credit score can help you get home in the future.
Earn a higher credit score in 8 steps
View our step-by-step guide to improving your credit score for your home buying needs.
What credit score is needed to buy a house?
Learn how your credit score helps lending institutions decide your lending terms.
Setting a budget in today’s market
Decide how much of your monthly income you can pay toward your rent.
How to build your credit
Building credit can seem more complex than it is. Learn how to build yours.
Frequently asked questions
Our responses to commonly asked questions about rent reporting.
- Why is Zillow partnering with Esusu?
Zillow is partnering with Esusu, a financial technology company dedicated to expanding fair credit and financial access, to help renters build credit while giving property partners tools that promote financial stability. We believe rent reporting can help you start building a credit profile that supports your future home buying goals, without taking on debt.
Through our partnership, you can report your rent for an exclusive annual rate of $20, helping you get credit for one of your current largest monthly expenses, your rent.
- Does Zillow offer a free rent reporting option?
Yes, when your landlord collects rent with Zillow payments you’ll have the choice to opt-in to free rent reporting. Plus, there’s no fee to pay rent with Zillow when you pay with a direct bank transfer.
After requesting online payments, you’ll get an invite from your landlord. Confirm your information, like your name, email, and date of birth, and add your payment method to start paying rent online. You should see your rent payments on your credit report within 60 days of the date the payment was reported.
Interested in this option? Ask your landlord to use Zillow payments today.
- What happens if I pay rent late or miss a payment?
Late rent payments (rent paid 30 days past due) won’t be reported to Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Consistent, on-time payments are key to building positive credit history, which is one of the factors credit scoring models take into account.
- Can I use past rental payment history?
Yes, you can include up to 24 months of past payment history on your current lease in order to establish positive credit history faster. You’ll select these payments when setting up your account.
- Which credit bureaus are my rent payments reported to?
When you report rent with Zillow x Esusu, your payments are reported to the three major bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. When you report with Zillow payments your payments are reported to Experian and Equifax.
* Credit score range based on the VantageScore® model (300–850). According to VantageScore, scores from 661–780 are considered “Good.”
* Based on active renters with available credit score data as of June 2024. Individual results may vary. Credit scores are determined by credit bureaus based upon existing credit profile, credit utilization, payment history and other credit factors.
