Can paying rent improve your credit score? New Experian Boost changes explained

Paying your rent on time could help improve your credit score, but it depends on how those payments are recorded. With Experian announcing changes to its free Boost service, we look at which services recognise rent payments, how they work and whether they could help you borrow money more easily.

If you've spent years paying hundreds of pounds in rent every month without missing a payment, it's reasonable to wonder why that doesn't always count in your favour when you apply for a mortgage.

Now Experian has announced changes that could help some renters get more recognition for their financial habits.

On 9 November 2026, the credit reference agency confirmed the rollout of an enhanced version of Experian Boost, which uses Open Banking data to consider everyday financial behaviour, including rent and household bills.

In testing, 71% of eligible existing Boost users saw their Experian score improve. However, the results won't be the same for everyone, and an improved credit score doesn't automatically mean cheaper borrowing.

Experian isn't the only option, either. There are free services for checking your credit report and specialist services that can help get your rental payments recognised.

Does paying rent improve your credit score in the UK?

Yes, paying rent on time can help improve your Experian credit score if those payments are properly reported or recognised through an eligible service.

Traditionally, credit scores have focused heavily on how people manage borrowing, including credit cards, personal loans and mortgages.

However, someone who rents rather than owns their home could have years of reliable housing payments without that history being fully reflected in their credit report.

Experian has been making changes to address this, including introducing a new credit scoring system in 2025 that takes more everyday financial behaviour into account.

The latest development is an expanded version of Experian Boost, allowing people to connect their current accounts and receive insights into how their regular spending and payments may be viewed by lenders.

This could be particularly useful for renters who have limited borrowing history but consistently meet their financial commitments.

However, there is an important distinction between using Experian Boost and formally reporting rent payments to your credit file.

Both can be useful, but they work differently.

What is Experian Boost and how does it work?

Experian Boost is a free service that allows you to securely connect an eligible bank account to your Experian account using Open Banking.

Once connected, Experian can analyse relevant transaction information to identify positive financial habits and provide a more complete picture of your finances.

The enhanced version of Boost is designed to consider information including:

• Rent and other housing-related payments.

• Household bills.

• Regular financial commitments.

• Buy Now Pay Later and other short-term borrowing activity.

• Patterns in how you manage money coming into and leaving your account.

Experian uses this information to provide personalised insights into financial behaviours that may help or affect how lenders view you.

The service is free, and connecting a bank account through Boost doesn't involve applying for a loan or taking on additional credit.

How much could Experian Boost improve your credit score?

Experian says 71% of eligible existing Boost users in a test involving more than 113,000 people received a positive score increase.

However, this doesn't mean everyone signing up will receive a higher score.

The outcome depends on the information available and your individual financial circumstances.

A higher Experian score also doesn't guarantee that a bank will approve your mortgage, credit card or loan application.

Lenders use their own affordability checks and lending criteria, and not every lender uses Experian Boost information.

How do you add rent payments to your Experian credit report?

There are two main ways rent payments can become more visible when your finances are assessed.

1. Connect your current account through Experian Boost

Experian Boost allows you to connect an eligible current account through Open Banking.

The service can then analyse relevant information, including rent and housing payments, to give you personalised insights and potentially improve your Experian score.

However, connecting Boost isn't the same as automatically adding every past rent payment as a separate entry on your credit report.

2. Use a rent reporting service

If you want your rental payment history formally recorded on your Experian credit report, you can explore rent reporting through Experian's Rental Exchange scheme or one of its participating partners.

These include services such as CreditLadder and Canopy.

Where eligible, regular rent payments can be reported to Experian and included in your credit history.

Experian says its Rental Exchange partners generally need six months of payment history before reporting begins.

This means you shouldn't expect your entire rental history to appear instantly when you sign up.

It's also important to remember that missed or late rent payments reported through a rent reporting service could affect your credit score negatively.

How to sign up for Experian Boost for free

If you'd like to find out whether Experian Boost could help improve your credit score, you can get started through the official Experian website.

Step 1: Create or sign in to your Experian account

Visit Experian Boost and sign in or register for a free account.

You don't need to pay for Experian's premium subscription service to access Boost.

Step 2: Connect an eligible bank account

You'll be asked to choose a current account that supports Open Banking.

You'll then be directed through your bank's secure authorisation process.

Experian can access relevant transaction information with your permission, but this doesn't mean it can move money out of your account.

Step 3: Review your financial insights

Once your account has been connected, Experian will assess the available transaction information.

Depending on your circumstances, it may identify positive behaviours that could improve your score or provide information about how lenders may view your financial activity.

Step 4: Keep your information up to date

Experian Boost uses an ongoing Open Banking connection, which may need to be renewed periodically.

You can review your permissions and disconnect the service if you no longer want to use it.

If you'd prefer your rent payments to appear as a formal part of your credit history, check whether a separate rent reporting service would be suitable.

Do you need your landlord's permission to report rent payments?

Not necessarily.

Experian says tenants can report rent through participating Rental Exchange partners without needing their landlord's permission.

Some landlords, letting agents and social housing providers already report rental payments through the scheme.

If you're unsure whether your rent is currently being reported, check your credit report or ask your landlord or letting agent.

You can also explore a recognised rent reporting service yourself.

Remember that these services may have different features, eligibility requirements and costs, so check the details before signing up.

Can Experian Boost help you get a mortgage?

Potentially, but it doesn't guarantee mortgage approval or a better interest rate.

Mortgage lenders assess more than your credit score.

They'll normally consider your income, employment, existing debts, deposit and how affordable your monthly repayments would be.

A record of making rent payments consistently could help demonstrate financial responsibility, particularly if your credit history is relatively limited.

However, different lenders use different credit reference agencies and scoring methods.

Some may consider the information provided through Experian Boost, while others may not.

So it's worth viewing Boost as an additional way of demonstrating positive financial habits rather than a shortcut to securing a mortgage.

Does Buy Now Pay Later affect your credit score?

Buy Now Pay Later, often shortened to BNPL, allows shoppers to spread the cost of purchases over several payments.

Experian's enhanced Boost service now offers greater insight into short-term borrowing activity, reflecting the fact that lenders may consider these commitments when assessing affordability.

But BNPL activity isn't necessarily treated in the same way by every lender or credit reference agency.

And using Buy Now Pay Later doesn't automatically improve your credit score.

Before taking out a BNPL agreement, consider whether the repayments will remain affordable alongside your other commitments.

Taking on additional borrowing purely to try to improve your credit score isn't a sensible financial strategy.

What else can you do to improve your credit score?

Connecting Experian Boost or reporting rent payments could help, but there are other steps that can make a difference over time.

Register on the electoral roll

If you're eligible to register to vote, being on the electoral roll can help lenders confirm your identity and address.

Pay bills and borrowing on time

Keeping up with credit card, loan and other reported payments can help demonstrate that you manage your commitments reliably.

Check your credit report for mistakes

Make sure your address, personal information and account details are correct.

You can request corrections if something has been recorded inaccurately.

Keep an eye on existing borrowing

Using a large proportion of your available credit or applying for several new products in a short period can affect how lenders assess you.

Make your monthly bills easier to manage

Keeping enough money aside for essentials, including rent and regular household payments, can help reduce the risk of missed payments.

thinkmoney's Smart Budget features are designed to help customers separate money for regular bills from their everyday spending, making it easier to see what's available after essential commitments.

When will the new Experian Boost service be available?

Experian began rolling out the enhanced version of Boost during the week beginning 9 November 2026.

The company expects it to be generally available by the end of November.

If you're already using Experian Boost, check your account for updates about the additional features.

New users can sign up for the free service through Experian's website.