 TITLE: How Much of My Income Should Go Toward Rent CONTENT: Improve Your Credit for a Better Chance of Getting Accepted\n-----------------------------------------------------------\nIt's common for a landlord to run a credit check when someone applies for a lease. While they can't view your credit score, they'll be able to see your credit report and the information that influences your score. If your credit is less than stellar, you may have a hard time getting accepted for the apartment, home or condo you want, especially if other applicants have better credit.\nCheck your credit score to get an idea of where you stand, and review your credit report to see where you can make some improvements. Depending on your situation, it may mean paying down credit card balances, getting caught up on late payments, disputing inaccurate information or any other number of things.\nIf you're currently renting, it's important to stay current on your payments and leave on good terms. Evictions themselves won't show up on your credit report, but collection accounts associated with housing will. Also, your rent payment history and prior evictions may be found on other reports landlords may look at when reviewing your application.\nImproving your credit score can take time, but the sooner you start, the more time you'll have to make an impact by the next time you apply for a lease. END