5 min read
Landlords screen tenants and require a signed lease. Here’s what to expect — and how to rent without US credit.
Find a listing, tour it, submit an application (with ID, income proof, and often a fee), pass the screening, then sign the lease and pay the deposit + first month’s rent.
Offer proof of income (job offer / pay stubs), a larger deposit, a co-signer / guarantor, or references. Many landlords accept these instead of a credit score.
Quick tips
Photo ID, proof of income or a job offer, references or rental history if you have them, and money for the deposit + first (sometimes last) month.
Tenants have legal protections (habitability, notice before entry, deposit-return rules) that vary by state. If something feels wrong, check your state or city tenant resources.
General guidance, not official advice
These guides explain how things generally work. Rules and amounts vary by state and change over time — always confirm the details with the official sources linked in each guide.