Federal Housing Finance Agency Says Rent Payments Can Now Be Used to Qualify for Mortgages

Mortgage lenders working with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can now use VantageScore 4.0 when evaluating consumers’ creditworthiness for mortgages.

A sign in front of an apartment building with available rentals in San Francisco, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Some Americans will now be able to use their rent payment history to help them qualify for a mortgage, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte announced on July 8.

In a statement on social media platform X, Pulte said the FHFA will accept the consumer credit-scoring system VantageScore when evaluating consumers’ creditworthiness for mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.