Husband has great credit, but mine is bad...

Yes, when you're married most landlords require paperwork on both parties.

Dunno about renting, but when you're buying, the bank takes the lowest credit score to calculate your rate.

Of course he can. There is nothing stopping him from renting an apartment without having your name on the lease.
I have been in this situation a few times, as my wife hasn't established her own credit. We have never had a problem using my credit only, with only my name on the lease. Same thing goes for buying.

It should not be a problem if his is the only name on the lease. That said, I'd recommend you start working on improving your credit now, since if you both decide to purchase sometime down the road you WILL want your name on the deed/proprietary lease. It can be as simple as starting to use a credit card in your name for common purchases and making sure you pay it off each month. Even with poor credit you should be able to be approved for a basic credit card.

I should also add that another thing you could do to build up positive credit is to put the utilities and other monthly payments in your name (not a problem if your husband helps out with the funds). Remain in good standing and that should help with your credit history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2o9-jmtNoU

I am a real Estate Agent and I just rented an apartment to a couple with a similar situation. We had the Landlord name the wife as an "Occupant" on the lease. They required her to fill out an application as well as pay an application fee, but they did not run a credit report -- they only wanted the application from the wife so as to know who else would be occupying the apartment. This being said, this is always going to be on a case by case basis depending on what the Landlord's policies are. Through my experience, there is usually a way to get the deal done and I have been able to use many different creative methods to help my customers with credit issues in the past.

Thanks so much everybody. All your comments are very helpful.

It may be awkward.

I'm just thinking aloud here... You cannot discriminate in renting to people based on marital status. Thus, if he applies and says nothing about marital status, they cannot legally ask. Since any renter is legally permitted to have a significant other live with them without the landlord's approval in rental buildings (I think that is the law, yes?), then you just move in with him. I don't see how anyone could prevent that. I much much prefer being completely above-board in my own dealings (makes life infinitely less stressful and helps one sleep at night), but from a technical, legal standpoint, I think this works. Then again, I do not have any real experience renting (just once without a roommate situation), so I am utterly not an expert here. Maybe others have insights.

Name under utilities won't help in this case. The only time that could be positive is with NO credit. In the case with jdsbd, she has BAD credit. Putting utilities under her name now can only hurt, if payments are late or delinquent.

depends on the landlord. some will definitely say no. your irresponsibility can effect his ability to pay rent. start being a grown up and pay your bills.

thank you jim bob a rebob

ooh, a rebob!

now do me, now do me!!!!

There is also a trick which will (articficially) raise your credit score. I know this because it is my job to defeat these tricks but the credit bureaus are neither terribly component or remotely accountable. It's referred to as piggy-backing and it will still (for a short while) work: have your husband open 2 or 3 basic credit accounts and add you as a "supplemental" or "additional card holder". He is legally liability; you are along for the ride. But the bureau will almost surely overly his good data onto yours and your credit score will rise.

meant "...neither terribly competent or... " Also: your husdand should not open more than 3 accounts. And they should be general purpose bank credit cards e.g., Chase, Citi, Amex -- not store cards, which have less of an impact on FICO.

Bernie, they do not even need to be new accounts. Find his oldest card and those with the biggest line of credit, ask him to add you to them, and bingo, instant FICO upgrade.

Thanks everyone. The utilities have been under my name for years (and always paid on time by me). My two big issues are a student loan that I left unpaid for months (even though all I had to do was fill out a form to ask for forbearance) and a credit card that I'm paying off (don't have any other credit cards). I will try what Bernie123 and stuvwxy99 recommend, but I also read that opening a Secure Credit Card will help you rebuild your credit. I may do that with my bank.

I would need to look at the exaxt formulas stuvwxy99 but I think you are right.

I know it will work with new accounts.. but I think it will work with existing accounts too. (But this will change -- a lot of people are working to eliminate this trick.)

how abt purchase? would wife's credit score effect the husband if the purchase were made solely in his name, then she be added on later?

The last apartment I rented required both me and my wife to be on the lease. We both had good credit so I'm not sure what effect it would have had if one of us had bad credit but I know the LL required both of us to be on the lease and submit to a credit check and criminal background check.

jdsbd1 - Unfortunately, the student loan delinquencies will haunt you for a long time. I don't know if there is anyway to correct that other than just making payments. It is great you are already paying down your current credit card. A secure credit card is an ok option, but most will carry an annual fee. This should be the route if you didn't have any other options. Best bet is to do what stuvwxy99 mentioned and have your husband (congrats btw) add you to a card (or multiple) of his with the longest history and highest limit. Shouldn't need your husband to open new accounts just for the purpose of bringing your credit up.

Forgot to mention to make sure when you are added to the account, that the card gets reported under your SSN along with your husbands. A lot of times companies will add additional cardholders without asking for more than just a name and DOB, that won't do you any good. You want to be added on the accounts where your SSN is attached with the account to make sure it shows up for your credit. Some banks will have a 2 step process, but as long as the account gets reported with your SSN then you are good to go.

The real story here is why did he marry your financially incompatible ass?
You must be smoking hot. Milk him for all he's worth, honey!!

Bernie, when the "trick" is eliminated, will anyone who has benefited already see their FICO numbers drop?

@Stuvwxy99: I am not sure but I think it's very possible. But if one has benefitted from this I would think the smart move would be to parley the higher FICO score into 2 or 3 new bank accounts (space them out, a flurry of inquires is a negative) and keep them at very low utlization. Then even if the piggy-backing is realized one still has the new "legit" accounts to fall back on.

I have seven credit cards that I pay off every month and never charge more than 20 percent of its limit. My house, vehicle, etc. are all paid for. I spend very little as I need little. I have been frugal all my life and now I find a credit score of 500. I don't owe a soul and am very careful with my money. I just don't understand why I am penalized for that..I contacted a credit scoring firm to figure this whole thing out for me but got turned down several times not until I read about a well recommended private investigator..He is all over the internet and nobody has never spoke negative of him...I took a leap of faith and gave him a try..He boosted my scores and I can't thank him enough..He's blunt and honest..And he respects whatever agreement you make with him..You all should give him a try for your credit score boost ad credit card repairs..His contact details are creditsmartspy @ gmail dot com +1(305)-912-6941