Applying to rent with Invitation Homes can feel stressful if your credit isn’t perfect. Like many large rental companies, they look at credit scores, income, and rental history—but the process isn’t always black and white. A low score doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be denied.

Houston Owner Financing understands that life happens — medical bills, job changes, or unexpected debt can make traditional approval tougher. The good news? Invitation Homes and similar property groups often review your entire application, not just your credit score.

In this guide, we’ll break down how Invitation Homes evaluates credit, what they check beyond your score, and smart ways to improve your chances of approval—even if your credit isn’t where you want it to be.

Invitation Homes Rental Criteria

When you apply to rent with Invitation Homes, they dig into your credit, income, rental history, and background. They review each area to see if you qualify and to set your security deposit. Knowing these criteria can help you prep a stronger application.

Minimum Credit Score Requirements

Invitation Homes doesn’t list a specific minimum credit score anywhere. Instead, they use a credit report from TransUnion and their own rental scoring system. So, it’s not just about the number.

If your credit’s not great, that alone won’t always disqualify you. But they’ll definitely look for things like open bankruptcies, unpaid debts, or past evictions. Negative marks can hurt your chances, but they’ll also weigh your income and rental history.

Income Verification Process

You’ll need to prove your total household income is at least three times the rent. They’ll want to see pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements for this.

This ratio helps show you can actually afford the place. If your income isn’t quite there, even great credit might not help. Got income from less traditional sources? Make sure you mention it and have the paperwork to back it up.

Rental History Evaluation

Your rental history matters a lot. Invitation Homes checks for recent evictions or unpaid rent. If you’ve rented from them before, they’ll review your payment history for the last two years.

Paying on time boosts your odds. If you’ve had trouble—like owing a landlord money or an eviction—it could count against you. Better to be upfront about any issues if you can.

Background Checks

They’ll look at your background for criminal offenses, usually going back six years. Felony convictions during that time might cause problems.

They also check your employment and other details to see if you’re stable. Criminal history is just one part of the mix—they’ll look at credit, income, and rental history together before deciding.

Does Invitation Homes Accept Bad Credit?

Invitation Homes checks your credit, but they don’t make decisions based only on your score. They’ll also consider things like rental history, income, and any criminal background. If your score’s low, you might be able to move forward with a higher deposit or by showing other strengths.

Definition of Bad Credit for Applicants

Bad credit usually means a low score or negative stuff like missed payments, collections, or bankruptcy. Invitation Homes doesn’t just look at the number—they use a rental score from TransUnion that factors in different pieces of your credit and rental history.

A few missed payments or a short credit history won’t always block you. But if you’ve got big issues like unpaid debts to landlords or lots of bankruptcies, approval gets a lot tougher. You’ll need to show solid income and might have to cover extra fees.

Consideration of Applicants with Low Credit Scores

Invitation Homes uses a third-party service to check out applications and give recommendations. They don’t stick to a hard minimum credit score. Instead, they look at your whole credit file, rental history, and any criminal record.

With a low score, expect to pay a bigger security deposit. It’s their way of making sure you’re serious about paying rent. They’ll do a full background check, so a good income and rental history can help balance out a weak credit score.

Impact of Recent Financial Hardships

Stuff like recent bankruptcy or owing money to landlords gets a close look. Invitation Homes checks your recent financial past, though the exact period can vary. They’ll weigh your current ability to pay rent, not just your history.

If they deny your application, they’ll tell you why and what you might need to work on. If you’ve had a bankruptcy, being upfront, showing stable income, and holding a steady job can help your case over time.

Alternative Qualification Options

If your credit isn’t strong, you still have ways to boost your chances with Invitation Homes. You could try getting a co-signer, paying a higher deposit, or using rental insurance to meet their requirements.

Use of Co-Signers or Guarantors

A co-signer or guarantor can back you up if your credit history is shaky. This person basically promises to pay the rent if you can’t. Having a co-signer with good credit reassures Invitation Homes that they’ll get paid.

The co-signer will need to show proof of income and a clean credit report. This can make approval easier or lower the deposit they want. But keep in mind, co-signers take on legal responsibility too, so it’s a big ask.

Additional Deposit Requirements

If your credit’s low, Invitation Homes might ask for a bigger security deposit. This acts as a safety net in case you miss rent or cause damage. The amount depends on their screening and your unique credit history.

Be ready to pay up front—sometimes one or two months’ rent. This helps protect the property owner and can be the key to getting approved.

Third-Party Rental Insurance

Rental insurance (sometimes called rent guarantee insurance) is another tool. It protects the landlord if you don’t pay rent on time. It won’t show up on your credit, but it signals responsibility.

Sometimes, rental insurance can take the place of a big deposit or a co-signer, but not always. Check if Invitation Homes accepts it before you go this route. It’s a solid option if you’d rather not involve someone else.

Steps to Improve Your Chances With Bad Credit

If you want to rent from Invitation Homes with bad credit, you’ll need to make your application as strong as you can. Show good references and prove you’re responsible with money. These steps help show you’re a solid tenant, even if your credit’s not perfect.

How to Rebuild Credit While Renting

If your credit score is holding you back, there are ways to improve it while renting. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommends using rent-reporting services that add on-time payments to your credit profile. 

These services, such as Experian Boost or RentTrack, can help boost your score over time.

Paying bills on time, keeping balances low, and avoiding new debt can also strengthen your record. Over six to twelve months, you may see noticeable improvements—making future rental or mortgage approvals easier.

Tips for Strengthening Your Application

Pay the application fee on time—just use your credit card through your Invitation Homes profile. Be honest about your credit. If you’ve had problems before, explain what happened and what you’ve done to fix things. It goes a long way in building trust.

Include clear paperwork like recent pay stubs, tax forms, or bank statements. These show you’re earning enough to cover rent. If you can, offer a bigger deposit or even prepay some rent. It shows good faith and reduces risk for the landlord.

Presenting Strong References

References matter—maybe more than you’d think—when your credit isn’t great. Ask past landlords for a short letter saying you paid on time and took care of the place.

If you’re new to renting, personal or work references help too. Pick people who can vouch for your responsibility, like a current boss.

Make sure your references include contact info and explain how they know you. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just clear and honest. Good references fill in the blanks your credit report can’t, making you look better on paper.

Demonstrating Financial Stability

Showing a steady income is huge. Be ready with pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns to prove you can pay rent. If you’re self-employed or have a nontraditional income, contracts or invoices help show you’re able to make rent every month.

Showing savings or extra funds for emergencies helps, too. This reassures Invitation Homes that you won’t miss payments if something unexpected comes up.

Application Process for Invitation Homes

Applying for a place with Invitation Homes starts online. You’ll set up a profile and pay a non-refundable application fee—it can be up to $55 for each adult. You pay by credit card through their site.

You’ll need to provide info about your income, job, rental history, and background. Invitation Homes will run a credit and criminal check. They want a favorable credit history, but bad credit doesn’t always mean you’re out of luck.

After you apply, someone from Invitation Homes will reach out with your results. They’ll lay out the next steps, so you know what’s coming. Approval depends on the leasing team reviewing all your details.

Keep your info handy, including details for any roommates, and have a government-issued ID ready for verification. It makes the process go a lot smoother.

What to Expect After Applying

Once you submit your application to Invitation Homes, the review process kicks off. They’ll check out your credit history, income, job status, and rental background and run a background check. 

Usually, a third-party company like TransUnion will take a look at your credit and rental score to help them make a decision.

You’ll need to pay a non-refundable application fee, which is typically up to $55 for each adult applying. This fee covers the cost of running your credit and background checks. The application just sits there until you pay this fee, so don’t forget it.

If your credit isn’t perfect, don’t panic. Invitation Homes tries to see the bigger picture, not just the number on your credit report. That said, past issues like evictions or unpaid balances can still weigh against you.

If you get approved, expect them to do home inspections about every six months. These are mostly to make sure the place stays in decent shape and usually focus on common areas—not your private stuff.

Contacting Invitation Homes for Clarification

If you’re wondering whether Invitation Homes will work with bad credit, your best bet is to contact them directly. They can walk you through their policies and explain what they look for when reviewing applications.

You can reach out through their website or by calling customer service. It helps to ask specific questions about how your credit score, rental history, or any past hiccups might affect your chances.

When you get in touch, have your credit history, job info, and background details handy. That way, they can give you more direct answers about your eligibility.

Remember, their process includes credit and criminal background checks. It’s worth asking what exactly they review and how each part impacts your application.

Building Trust Beyond the Credit Score

Invitation Homes, like most large rental providers, looks at more than just your credit score. While low credit can make approval harder, income stability, rental history, and transparency can still win you a “yes.” 

At Houston Owner Financing, we’ve helped countless Texans find homes even when their credit wasn’t perfect. Our focus is on financial stability and consistency—not just numbers. If you’re exploring alternatives to corporate rentals or ownership options despite credit issues, we’re here to guide you.

Take the next step confidently—your credit score doesn’t define your future. Book a free call today to explore flexible, realistic housing solutions that work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Invitation Homes sets certain standards for credit, but they also consider other details in your application. If your credit isn’t great, there could still be a way forward—it just might take a bit more time and effort.

What are the credit score requirements to be approved by Invitation Homes?

Invitation Homes likes to see a solid credit history. They don’t publish a minimum score, but higher is obviously better. If your score falls below typical rental cutoffs, you might run into some trouble.

Can you still qualify for a lease with Invitation Homes if you have poor credit?

It’s possible, but not a sure thing. They might ask you for a bigger security deposit—sometimes up to twice the standard amount—to help offset their risk.

Does Invitation Homes consider additional factors beyond credit scores for tenancy approval?

Yes, they look at more than just your credit. Rental history, job situation, income, and any outstanding debts all play a part. Cleaning up collections or old debts before you apply can help, even if your score is low.

Are cosigners an option to secure a lease if you have a low credit score for Invitation Homes?

A cosigner could help if your credit’s not great. Someone with stronger credit on your application might make the difference and could mean you won’t have to pay as much up front.

What is the typical approval process timeline for Invitation Homes?

Approval usually takes a few days after you submit your application online. They’ll run your credit and background checks and then get back to you with the next steps once they’ve got everything they need.

How difficult is it to get approved by Invitation Homes if you have less-than-perfect credit?

Honestly, it’s not the easiest thing if your credit isn’t great—especially if your rental or income history isn’t rock solid. Still, you might boost your odds by putting down a bigger deposit, bringing in a cosigner, or showing you’ve got stability in other parts of your life. Sometimes, you just have to get creative and persistent. Not everyone gets approved on their first try, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.