Groundbreaking partnership allows any renter to report rent payments for as little as $20 per year
Renters who pay on time deserve credit for it. Zillow® is expanding its rent reporting capabilities through a new partnership with Esusu, making it easier for millions of renters to build their credit history and improve financial readiness for their next move.
Under this expansion, any renter — not just those paying rent through Zillow — can now have their on-time rent payments reported to all major credit bureaus for $20 per year. Starting in November, renters simply verify their lease details and payment method, and Zillow and Esusu handle the rest.
Zillow first launched free rent reporting in early 2024 for renters who pay through Zillow, and so far has reported on-time payments to help more than 141,000 renters. Esusu, the market leader in rent reporting, has seen an average positive credit score increase of 45 points for renters in its program. With this partnership, Zillow and Esusu aim to reach millions more renters, especially those seeking to improve their credit standing and move closer to homeownership.
“Paying rent is often a renter’s biggest and most consistent monthly expense. It makes sense that this payment should help build their credit.” said Michael Sherman, senior vice president of Zillow Rentals. “By expanding rent reporting, we’re helping more renters build their credit history and take control of their financial future while reinforcing Zillow’s role as a trusted partner throughout their housing journey.”
Rent reporting is a key part of Zillow’s broader effort to help renters and buyers access and afford housing. About 87% of renters don’t currently see their rent payments reflected in their credit reports — a gap that can hold back those with limited or no credit history. By making credit-building easier and more accessible, Zillow and Esusu are helping more renters turn responsible renting into real financial progress.
“At Esusu, we believe everyone deserves credit for paying their rent on time. By including rent in the credit system, we’re helping to build economic mobility and unlock the American Dream for millions,” said Esusu Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Wemimo Abbey and Samir Goel. “We are proud to partner with Zillow to reimagine financial access and open the pathway to homeownership and generational wealth.”
The Administration’s announcement earlier this year authorizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to accept loans using VantageScore 4.0 makes rental payment reporting more impactful than ever. These significant changes better incorporate rental payment history into the lending process, which could expand access to the American Dream of homeownership through rent reporting. Illustratively, renters on the Esusu platform have unlocked over $30 billion in mortgages after participating in rent reporting.
Renters can sign up for rent reporting directly through Zillow to start having their payments reported each month. More information about Zillow’s current program is available at Zillow.com/rent/rent-reporting.
