How to Report Rent Payments to Credit Bureaus

To report rent payments to credit bureaus in Canada, you can enroll in specialized rent reporting programs like KOHO Rent Reporting that share your payment history with Equifax.

Some programs work directly with renters without landlord involvement, while others require landlord participation. Currently, only Equifax (not TransUnion) accepts rent payment reporting in Canada.

Turn your rent into a credit building tool

As a renter in Canada, you might be missing a significant opportunity to build your credit score with payments you're already making. While landlords often check your credit before approving your application, your consistent monthly rent payments don't automatically help improve your credit score.

This one-way relationship seems unfair, doesn't it?

The good news is that rent reporting services are changing this dynamic, allowing your responsible payment behavior to strengthen your credit profile without taking on additional debt.

What is rent reporting?

Rent reporting is simply the process of sending information about your rent payments to credit bureaus so they appear on your credit report and factor into your credit score calculation.

Unlike mortgage, loan, or credit card payments that are automatically reported, rent payments require you to opt in through a specialized service.

How KOHO rent reporting works

With KOHO rent reporting, you can report your rent without your landlord's involvement:

1. Set up your rent payments through KOHO

2. Provide your basic rental details

3. KOHO notifies Equifax each time you make a payment

4. Your credit history improves as you maintain on-time payments

5. Earn 0.25% cashback on every rent payment you report

Other services may require landlord participation or offer different reporting methods, so research your options to find what works for your situation.

Why report your rent payments?

Reporting your rent payments helps build three key components of your credit score:

• Payment history (35% of your score): Shows you consistently meet financial obligations

• Credit history length (15% of your score): Adds to the average age of your accounts

• Credit mix (10% of your score): Diversifies the types of credit in your profile

Together, these factors make up 60% of what determines your credit score! Since you're paying rent anyway, why not let those payments help you build credit?

Just remember that once you start reporting, late payments will hurt your score—so always pay on time.

Your renter's credit advantage

Reporting your rent payments is particularly valuable if you:

• Are new to Canada

• Are just starting to build credit

• Don't have many credit products

• Want to improve your credit mix

• Prefer building credit without taking on debt

Making every payment count

Rent is likely one of your largest monthly expenses.

By reporting these payments, you transform what was once just a housing expense into a powerful credit-building tool that can help you access better financial opportunities in the future.