Landlords need to know the difference between a resident score vs. a credit score in 2025. The resident score looks at rental history, such as late rent or evictions, to predict tenant risk for multifamily properties. It runs from 350 to 850, where higher means safer tenants.
Meanwhile, credit scores like FICO and VantageScore measure overall money habits and loan repayment chances. These scores also range from 300 to 850. Resident scores give landlords a clear view of rental behavior, while credit scores show general financial health.
By learning about what a resident score is, its range, and what counts as good, landlords can better pick tenants. This guide helps landlords use both scores to lower risks and keep their properties safe.
Key Takeaway: Quick Facts About Resident Score vs Credit Score
What Is a Resident Score?
A resident score in tenant screening is a type of credit score used by landlords to assess the risk of rental issues (hence, it’s sometimes referred to as a tenant risk score). Basically, it helps landlords see how likely a tenant is to cause rental problems. These problems include late rent, eviction, or not having enough money.
Unlike a credit score, this score looks at rental history, not just general credit. It ranges from 350 to 850. A higher score means less risk. For example, a tenant with a resident score of 750 is safer than one with 480. Landlords use this score to protect their income and avoid evictions.
What It Measures and Why It Matters
The resident score measures rental risks by checking if tenants pay rent on time, if they have eviction records, and how they handle leases. This makes it better for landlords than regular credit scores.
For example, a tenant might have good credit but a low resident score if they pay rent late. Landlords use this to pick tenants who will pay on time and follow the rules.
Common Resident Score Models
A lot of people would know this score as TransUnion’s ResidentScore. It checks millions of rental data points and detects eviction threats better than credit ratings, and it finds 15% more evictions and 19% more missing rent payments.
The RentVision Index is another type of score that looks at rent payments and tenant risk. These models put greater weight on rental history than on credit card usage or loan applications. A credit score can suggest that a renter has a lot of credit card debt, but a resident score tells whether they pay their rent late or have been evicted before.
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What Is a Good Resident Score for Renting?
A resident score lets landlords rapidly figure out just how hazardous a renter could be. This score is dependent on things like your payment history, how much credit you utilize, and how well you do on your lease. It goes from 350 to 850. More points indicate less risk.
How Scores Are Calculated
Resident scores or ratings are based on data that is particular to rentals. They look at how frequently a renter pays their rent late, whether they have ever been evicted, and how they manage lease agreements. They also look at credit criteria, including how often you use your credit and how many queries you make.
So in summary, it’s used by landlords or property managers to predict your likelihood of paying rent on time and being a responsible tenant, based on:
- Credit report data (yes, still used credit score, but weighted differently)
- Rental history (missed rent payments, evictions)
- Previous landlord reports
- Public records (e.g., evictions, bankruptcies)
- Inquiries from property managers
- Income-to-rent ratio (sometimes)
However, they care more about how you rent. For instance, a tenant's score will go down even if they don't use their credit card often, if they pay their rent late a lot.
Common Score Ranges and What They Mean
- Above 700: This is a good resident score. Tenants here usually pay rent on time and follow lease rules. For example, a score of 720 means low risk.
- 560 to 699: This range shows moderate risk. Tenants might have some late payments or minor issues, but are generally reliable.
- Below 560: This signals high risk. Tenants with scores here often have frequent late payments, evictions, or other serious rental problems. A score of 480 suggests caution.
A good resident score is typically above 700. Landlords use this threshold to accept tenants with a strong rental history. Knowing these ranges helps landlords set clear rules and avoid costly evictions.
What Is a Credit Score? How Is It Used in Tenant Screening?
A credit score is a type of score that shows how likely someone is to pay their bills on time. Landlords use it to decide if a tenant can be trusted to pay rent and handle money responsibly.. Understanding credit scores is key for landlords who want to screen tenants effectively.
What Does a Credit Score Measure?
The lowest credit score is 300, and the highest is 850. It takes into account things like your payment history, how much credit you've used, how long you've had credit, what sorts of credit you've used, and how many times you've asked for credit recently.
Basically, it’s used by lenders to predict how likely you are to repay loans or credit cards, based on:
- Payment history (e.g., bills, credit cards, loans)
- Amount owed (credit utilization)
- Length of credit history
- Types of credit used
- Recent credit inquiries
For instance, paying bills late or maxing out your credit cards can hurt your score. A better score equals less chance of losing money. Landlords use this score to check whether a renter is financially stable and if they match the minimum credit standards.
Common Credit Scoring Models (FICO, VantageScore)
Landlords need to know tenants' credit ratings to see how reliable they are with money, but they need a solid model to base their evaluation.
FICO and VantageScore are the two most used models. They both range from 300 to 850, and both of these systems rate risk from "excellent" to "poor," which helps landlords figure out how risky a renter is. A FICO score of 680 and a VantageScore of 700 both show that there is a moderate risk.
However, in detail, they are calculated and focused on different things.
FICO Score:
- FICO Score, developed in 1989, is the most widely used credit scoring model by lenders.
- You need to have at least six months of credit history and current activity. The most important things are payment history (35%), credit usage (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%), and credit mix (10%).
- A renter with a great payment history and little credit utilization will have a better FICO score, signifying trustworthiness and lower risk.
VantageScore:
- The three biggest credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) started VantageScore in 2006.
- It can give you a score with only one month of credit history, so it's easy for those with little credit to use.
- Used by services like LeaseRunner, VantageScore 3.0 can reward tenants who pay on time more quickly than FICO. Scores remain consistent across all three credit bureaus.
In summary, here’s all you need to know about the two models:
How Landlords Use Credit Scores to Screen Tenants?
To lower their risk, landlords frequently need tenants to have a credit score of at least 620 to 700. For instance, a renter with a credit score of 680 is more likely to pay their rent on time than one with a score of 550. But credit ratings alone don't convey the whole picture.
They illustrate the danger of losing money, but not how people rent. That's why a lot of landlords look at both credit scores and resident scores to get a better idea of how risky a renter is.
Resident Score vs Credit Score: Key Differences for Landlords
Knowing the difference between resident score vs credit score helps landlords screen tenants well. Each score uses different data and shows different risks.
Data Sources and Focus Areas
Resident scores use rental data. They check eviction history, rent payments, and lease results. This makes them good at showing how tenants behave with rent. For example, a tenant with many late rent payments will have a low resident score.
Credit scores use financial data like credit cards, loans, and debt. They show general money risk. A tenant might have a good credit score but still miss rent payments. Credit scores do not show rental habits well.
Scoring Models and Risk Analysis
Resident scores range from 350 to 850. They use special methods to find rental risks. For example, the TransUnion ResidentScore finds eviction risk better than credit scores. It also spots more missed rents.
Credit scores also range from 300 to 850. They use models like FICO or VantageScore. These show how likely a person is to repay loans. But they miss rental risks in some cases.
Use Cases in Tenant Screening
Resident scores work best when rental history matters. They help landlords find tenants who pay rent on time. For example, a resident scoring over 700 means low risk.
Credit scores show overall financial health. If a tenant has a good credit score but a low resident score, landlords should trust the resident score more.
Extra Tips for Landlords
- Use both scores to get a full view of tenant risk.
- Focus on resident scores when rental data is available.
- Use credit scores to check general money habits.
- Choose tenant screening tools that show both scores.
- Resident scores help with tenants who have little credit history.
In short, the resident score vs credit score shows different risks. Using both helps landlords pick better tenants and avoid problems.
How Landlords Should Use Resident Score & Credit Score Together
Landlords get the best tenant insights by using both the resident score and the credit score. Each score shows different risks, so combining them gives a clearer picture of a tenant’s reliability.
Step 1: Begin with the Resident Score
The first thing to do is check the resident's score. This score looks at things like late payments, evictions, and the end of a lease. For instance, a renter with a resident score of 700 or above frequently pays their rent on time and respects the requirements of the lease.
Even if the credit score seems decent, a low resident score means that rental troubles are more likely. The resident score is made just for rental risk, looking at things like payment history, credit usage, and eviction histories.
Step 2: Check the Credit Score
After assessing rental risk, check the tenant’s credit score to understand their overall financial health. Credit scores, like FICO or VantageScore, measure debt management, loan payments, and credit card use.
For instance, a tenant with a credit score below 600 may struggle with financial responsibility, which could affect rent payments. This score helps landlords evaluate if tenants manage their finances well beyond just rent payments.
Step 3: When scores don't match up, put rental data first.
There are situations when the resident's score and the credit score don't match up. For instance, a renter may have a great credit score but a poor resident score because they have been evicted in the past or paid rent late.
In these situations, landlords should put the resident score first since it shows how well the tenant has paid their rent. This emphasis lowers the dangers of not paying rent or being evicted, which are two very important things for landlords.
Ultimate Suggestions: Use Tenant Screening Tools to Save Time
Tenant screening systems like LeaseRunner make it simple to get both scores and thorough information. LeaseRunner saves landlords time and effort by giving them all of their tenants' current scores, credit ratings, and rental history in one location.
With the provided information, everything a landlord should do next is to interpret the tenant screening result properly. This connection lets landlords make choices more quickly and with more trustworthy data.
Additional Advice for Landlords
- Set clear minimum thresholds for both resident and credit scores based on your risk tolerance.
- Use the tenant scoring system to weigh both scores fairly.
- Review the risk score in the conditional range carefully for borderline applicants.
- Combine credit and rental data with employment and background checks for a full tenant profile.
- Communicate with tenants about their scores and allow explanations for any negative marks.
By combining resident score vs credit score insights, landlords reduce risks and find tenants who pay rent on time and respect leases. This approach protects rental income and builds better landlord-tenant relationships.
Conclusion
Understanding resident score vs credit score helps landlords screen tenants more effectively. Resident scores focus on rental behavior, such as late payments and eviction risk, while credit scores assess overall financial health and debt management.
For example, a tenant with a high resident score but a low credit score may still be reliable in paying rent on time. Using both scores together allows landlords to spot risks they might miss otherwise.
Landlords can easily and quickly get these ratings with tools like LeaseRunner, which helps them secure their rental revenue and prevent expensive evictions. Check out Credit score reports today!
FAQs
Q1. What is a resident score?
A resident score predicts rental risk by analyzing credit and rental history. It ranges from 350 to 850. For example, a tenant with a resident score of 720 is less likely to miss rent or face eviction than one scoring 480. This score focuses on rental-specific data like payment history, eviction records, and lease outcomes, making it highly relevant for landlords.Q2. What is a good resident score?
Scores above 700 are generally considered good and indicate a reliable tenant. Scores between 560 and 699 suggest moderate risk, while scores below 560 signal high risk.
For instance, a tenant with a score of 750 is likely to pay rent on time, whereas a score of 500 may indicate frequent late payments or eviction history. Setting clear minimum resident score thresholds helps landlords avoid costly evictions.
Q3. What is an RV index score?
An RV index score combines multiple factors such as credit, rent-to-income ratio, and debt levels to provide a comprehensive risk assessment.
For example, a tenant with a strong credit score but a high rent-to-income ratio might have a higher RV index risk, signaling potential payment difficulties. This score helps landlords evaluate financial stability beyond just credit or rental history.
Q4. How does a resident score differ from a credit score?
A resident score focuses on rental risk, including eviction likelihood and rent payment behavior. A credit score assesses overall credit risk, such as loan repayment and credit card management.
For example, a tenant may have a good credit score but a low resident score due to past evictions. Landlords should weigh resident scores more heavily when rental behavior is critical.
Q5. What is a cumulative rental score?
A cumulative rental score aggregates rental payment history over time to predict future tenant behavior. For example, a tenant with consistent on-time payments over several years will have a high cumulative rental score, indicating reliability. This score helps landlords see long-term trends rather than isolated incidents.
