Does Renting From Rent-A-Center Build Credit?

The short answer: not typically. Rent-A-Center is a rent-to-own retailer, not a credit-building tool. However, the full picture depends on how the company reports payment activity—and that distinction matters.

How Rent-A-Center Works

Rent-A-Center allows customers to rent household items (furniture, electronics, appliances) with the option to purchase them after a set number of payments. Unlike a traditional purchase with financing, you're entering a rental agreement, not taking out a loan or line of credit.

This is an important distinction: credit bureaus primarily track credit accounts—things like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit where you borrow money and agree to repay it. A rental agreement, by design, doesn't fit that model.

When Payment Activity Shows Up on Your Credit Report

Credit bureaus only record payment history if the company reports to them. Rent-A-Center does not report rental payments to the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) as part of standard operations. This means:

• On-time rental payments won't boost your credit score
• Missed payments typically won't damage it either

The exception: If you fall significantly behind and Rent-A-Center refers the debt to a collections agency, that can appear on your credit report and hurt your score.

Why This Matters for Credit Building

If your goal is to build credit history, rental agreements—whether through Rent-A-Center or similar companies—aren't designed to help. Reported credit activity comes from:

• Credit cards
• Personal loans
• Auto loans
• Mortgages
• Student loans
• Secured credit cards (where you deposit cash as collateral)

These accounts show credit bureaus that you can borrow money responsibly and repay it on schedule.

What You Should Evaluate

Before renting from Rent-A-Center or any rent-to-own service, consider:

• Total cost: Rent-to-own arrangements often cost significantly more than buying outright or financing traditionally, since you're paying rental fees plus the purchase price.
• Your credit-building goal: If building credit is important to you, this won't help directly. A secured credit card, credit-builder loan, or becoming an authorized user on someone's account are more practical alternatives.
• Your financial flexibility: If you need the item now and can't afford it upfront or get traditional financing, rent-to-own may solve an immediate problem—but it won't improve your credit profile while doing so.

The right choice depends entirely on whether you're solving a temporary access problem or trying to establish credit history. These are two different needs.