Until now, paying additional upfront deposits or securing a guarantor were the primary options for applicants with credit scores below the required minimum. Yet for many prospective renters, paying first months rent plus security deposits can drain personal savings, and finding a guarantor can be difficult.

Professionally managed apartment communities listed on this website agree to favorable terms for rental applicants who are have access to direct deposit from their employer or special income source (e.g. Social Security, Veterans Affairs, pensions) and are willing to participate in rent budgeting through NPS Rent Assurance*. The NPS rent budgeting program is designed to increase consumer access to housing linked to a commitment to make rent the first payment priority each month.

* All lease offers are made at the discretion of participating rental communities.

• NPS Rent Assurance is the #1 rent budgeting program
• We help you save money at lease signing and throughout your lease
• We work with property companies across the U.S. to help you lower your move-in costs and avoid the cost and hassle of late payment issues throughout your lease
• Getting started is easy once you’ve been approved for a rental lease at participating communities

* NPS Rent Assurance is not responsible for applicant credit screening for rental apartment leases or acceptance terms offered by featured property companies to prospective renters who visit this website. Enrollment in the NPS program is voluntary yet not a guarantee of acceptance for a rental lease. NPS is not a form of insurance and does not guarantee rent payments. Standard security deposits may be required in addition to participation with the NPS program.

Property companies use credit scores as one indicator of a future renter’s ability to pay rent on time. 

Standard credit score requirements are set by each property company in order for applicants to qualify for an apartment lease. Conditional Acceptance programs are offered by communities listed on this site for prospective renters whose credit score may fall below required levels. These communities understand that increasing numbers of Americans are now faced with daily challenges to paying their bills on time. Featured communities also know that most people want to pay their bills on time, but may have gotten behind when what was owed was more than what was in the bank or in their paycheck. That’s why – even if your credit has been hurt, many communities will work with you to get an apartment rental, provided you demonstrate that you have put assurances in place to pay your rent on time.