Hack Your Credit Score: More People Are Using Rent Payments As the New Secret Weapon For FICO Boosts

Core Insights - The trend of self-reporting rent payments is increasing, with 13% of consumers reporting their rent to credit agencies in 2025, up from 11% in 2024, indicating a growing awareness of the impact of rent on credit scores [1] - Generation Z leads in participation rates for self-reporting rent payments, followed by Millennials and Gen X [1] Group 1: Consumer Behavior - There is a notable rise in consumers self-reporting their rent payments, suggesting a shift towards utilizing third-party data furnishers like Rental Kharma or RentReporters, as property manager participation in reporting has decreased from 48% in 2024 to 44% in 2025 [2] - Rent reporting involves submitting on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, which can positively influence credit scores since payment history constitutes 35% of the credit score calculation [3] Group 2: Rent Reporting Process - Consumers cannot report their rent payments directly but can enroll in rent reporting services through apps or landlord offerings, often requiring bank account linkage for tracking payments [4] - While rent reporting can help build credit, it is not a comprehensive solution for severe credit issues like bankruptcy or overdue debts, which may overshadow the benefits of rent reporting [5] Group 3: Pros and Cons - Self-reporting rent payments is an accessible method for credit building, but potential users should be aware of the associated advantages and disadvantages before enrolling in a rent reporting service [6]