Does Rent-A-Center Report to Credit Bureaus?

When you're rebuilding credit or trying to build it from scratch, every positive action counts. That's why you might be wondering if your rent-to-own transactions with Rent-A-Center could help boost your score. Unfortunately, the answer is not what you're hoping for. Rent-A-Center doesn't report to the major credit bureaus, so those on-time rental payments won't show up on your credit report or help your score.

Why Rent-A-Center Doesn't Report to Credit Bureaus

Rent-A-Center is a rent-to-own company, not a credit provider. They rent items to you with the option to purchase them over time. Because it's technically a lease, not a credit agreement, they're not required to report to the major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

When you pay your rent-to-own agreement on time, that positive payment history doesn't get reported anywhere. It won't improve your credit score, and future lenders won't see it. From a credit-building perspective, those on-time payments are invisible.

When Rent-A-Center Can Hurt Your Credit

While on-time payments won't help you, missed payments absolutely can hurt you. If you fall behind on your Rent-A-Center account, they may send it to a debt collector. And when that happens, the collection account gets reported to the credit bureaus.

A collection account on your credit report is a major red flag to lenders. It can significantly lower your credit score and stay on your report for seven years. So while paying on time with Rent-A-Center doesn't build credit, failing to pay can damage it just as much as any other debt.

Beyond credit damage, if you default on a rent-to-own agreement, Rent-A-Center can repossess the item. You lose both your money and the merchandise.

The Real Cost of Rent-to-Own

Beyond the credit issue, rent-to-own agreements often come with a hidden cost. When you rent-to-own an item, you typically pay significantly more than if you just bought it outright.

For example, a $500 television might cost you $30 per week to rent. Over two years, that's roughly $3,120 total—more than six times the retail price. You're paying a premium for the flexibility and the ability to use an item while making payments.

If credit-building is your goal, that money would be much better spent on actual credit-building tools.

Better Alternatives for Building Credit

If you're looking to build credit, there are much more effective options that don't come with the same hidden costs.

A secured credit card is the gold standard for building credit from scratch. You deposit $200–$500, use the card for small purchases, and pay your bill in full and on time. After 6–12 months, you can transition to a regular credit card. Your payments get reported to all three bureaus, and you actually build a credit history. Check our guide on secured credit card deposits to find the right amount.

A credit builder loan is another excellent option. You borrow a small amount of money (typically $500–$1,000) that goes into a savings account you can't touch. You make monthly payments, and when the loan is paid off, you keep the money. It costs less than rent-to-own, and it reports to credit bureaus.

Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card account is another way to build credit quickly, especially if that person has a strong payment history.

Even a simple secured credit card beats rent-to-own when it comes to cost and credit impact.

If you've been considering Rent-A-Center as a credit-building strategy, rethink it. Those on-time payments won't help your score, but missed payments absolutely can hurt it. More importantly, you're paying a premium for the privilege. When you're trying to rebuild or build credit, every dollar matters—and rent-to-own agreements aren't the efficient use of your money. Choose a credit-building tool that actually reports to bureaus, costs less, and gets you to your goal faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Rent-A-Center send me to collections?

Yes. If you stop making payments on your rent-to-own agreement, Rent-A-Center can send the unpaid balance to a collections agency. That collections account will appear on your credit report and can lower your score by 50–100+ points.

Is there any rent-to-own company that reports to credit bureaus?

Some newer rent-to-own companies are starting to report to credit bureaus, but Rent-A-Center does not. If credit building matters to you, ask any rent-to-own company directly whether they report payments before signing an agreement.

What's the cheapest way to build credit from nothing?

A secured credit card with a low deposit ($200) is typically the cheapest option. You get your deposit back when you upgrade, and your payments are reported to all three bureaus from day one.

Does paying rent build credit?

Regular apartment rent doesn't build credit automatically, but you can use rent reporting services to have your rent payments reported to credit bureaus. This is different from rent-to-own agreements like Rent-A-Center.