June 3, 2021

Did You Know Online Rent Payments Improve Your Credit Score?

Are you looking for an easy way to improve your credit score? Paying your rent online is a quick solution. By reporting online rental payments, renters were able to increase their credit score by an average of 59 points in 21 months, according to a study by RentTrack .

If you want to improve your credit score, start submitting your rent payments online. Here’s the lowdown on what goes into a credit score, why simply paying rent won’t help your credit score, and how paying with a credit card online will help improve your credit.

What Goes into a Credit Score?

What actually goes into a credit score, and does paying rent online contribute? Experian, for example, determines credit scores through the following elements :

  • Use of credit cards
  • Payment history
  • Applications for new loans and credit

When you pay rent online, those payments become part of your payment history. As you pay on time and in full and continue to do so, that becomes part of your score, too.

Will Paying Rent Increase a Credit Score?

Just paying your rent isn’t enough to improve your credit. First, the payment must be made online for it to count towards your credit score. At Artists Village Apartments , we have conveniently implemented a resident portal to make online payments easy.

After that, you must make sure your online payments are recognized by the credit bureaus and are calculated into your report. According to RentTrack , “It’s not possible to report information directly to the big three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.” Using a reporting agency such as RentTrack will make sure your payment is seen by credit bureaus.

Does It Help to Pay with a Credit Card?

To boost your score even more, using a credit card specifically to pay your rent may be something worth considering.

“Open a credit card and use it to pay your rent . . . then pay your credit card balance in full each month,” says LaToya Irby, credit expert for The Balance. “The timely credit card payments will help boost your credit score.”

You don’t have to pay your rent with a credit card, but it can be a nice little boost to your credit score in combination with the benefits of paying your rent online.

As you pay your rental payments online and make sure the rent gets reported to credit bureaus, you will see your credit score improve. At Artists Village , we have made this simple for our residents with our online rental setup in our resident portal. Happy credit-score-boosting!

Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit at Artists Village

April 15, 2026
At Artists Village Apartments, we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us. 1. The AppFolio Resident Portal App The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs: Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card. Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow. Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime. 2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinata Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to o ffer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata . How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.) 3. More Ways the App Helps You Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Santa Ana community. You can: Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs. Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details. Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents. At Artists Village, we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle. 
woman on cellphone

Improve Your VIP Experience with the New AppFolio App

March 6, 2024
The new Appfolio app makes it even easier to manage your living experience at AMC properties. Check out everything you can do right in the app!
Holiday gifts and ornaments

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN SANTA ANA, CA

By Marketing - • November 21, 2023
Wonder what holiday activities and events will be happening in Santa Ana, CA, this year? We've created a guide to the best local holiday activities in the Santa Ana area. Check it out!