Renters turning to third-party tools to boost credit profiles
More Renters Self-Reporting Payments As FHFA Opens Pathway To Homeownership
TransUnion finds renters increasingly turning to third-party tools to boost credit profiles
A growing number of renters are taking credit-building into their own hands.
According to a new TransUnion report, 13% of consumers have had their rent payments reported to credit bureaus this year, up from 11% in 2024, representing about an 18% lift. The rise comes even as property manager participation in rent payment reporting declined, suggesting that more consumers are self-reporting through third-party data furnishers.
The development coincides with a major regulatory shift. In July, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin accepting VantageScore 4.0 credit scores for mortgage underwriting. That move allows rent payment history to count toward mortgage qualification, potentially unlocking homeownership opportunities for many first-time buyers.
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“The regulatory developments we’ve seen in this space are very encouraging,” said Maitri Johnson, SVP and head of TransUnion’s tenant and employment screening business. “The vast majority of renters reliably make on-time payments and they deserve to leverage that proven responsibility toward home ownership and other financial opportunities.”
Property Manager Participation Slips
While renter participation ticked up, TransUnion found property managers pulling back. Just 44% reported rent payments in 2025, down from 48% last year. The reversal follows several years of steady (and notable) gains — from 27% in 2022 to 48% in 2024.
Source: National Mortgage Professional
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