Rent Payments Will Soon Be Added to Credit Reports: Timely Payments Will Build Credit

Rent Payments Will Soon Be Added to Credit Reports

From The Huffington Post:

Consumers who struggle to build a solid credit profile may soon get a boost by simply paying their monthly rent on time.

One of the country's three major credit reporting agencies is now incorporating positive rental payment data into its scoring methodology. Experian will track the information through its RentBureau division, a specialty credit bureau that gathers payment data from a network of property managers covering more than 8 million renters nationwide.

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Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Make It BYOB
Since the cost of beer and liquor for a normal-size Super Bowl party will probably take up about 100 percent of your budget, make sure your guests know that they are welcome -- and encouraged -- to BYOB. Running out of booze at halftime would seriously put a damper on the festivities.

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Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Plan Ahead
Set up everything beforehand. When the game starts, you don't want to be putting out food, waiting for the pizza delivery or mixing margaritas.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Dress The Part
Get in the spirit. Wear your favorite team's colors or a favorite player's jersey and have your guests do the same.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Make Room
You will have some very disgruntled guests if you don't provide enough chairs and sofa space for all of your guests. Break out the folding chairs and card tables if necessary. Standing and mingling doesn't work at a Super Bowl party.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Avoid Technical Difficulties
Make sure the new flat screen HD TV you bought just for the occasion is hooked up and working before kick-off. If you're still reading the manufacturer's instructions at halftime, you have a problem.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Simple Pleasures
Think buffalo wings, nachos, chips and dip and pizza -- your party menu should not be complicated, costly or sophisticated. This is not a time to break out the fine china and fancy recipes. Still, you should probably try to offer at least one or two lighter items for anyone who can't stomach the traditional game-day spread.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Make Your Best Bet
There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. Have your guests bet a dollar or more on the final score of the game and put a few dollars in a pot before the game starts -- whoever comes closest gets to take home the loot.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Don't Be Afraid To Segregate
Make sure you have another room set up where party goers who aren't that into the game can chat and socialize. It will keep both the die-hard football fans and the guests who are just along for the ride happy.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Ditch The Dishes
It's not the greenest option in the world, but, with all of the plates, napkins and utensils that will be used over the course of the party, make it easy on yourself and go with disposables. The last thing you'll want to do once everyone leaves are the dishes.

Planning a Super Bowl Bash

Until now, only negative rental information would appear on a consumer's credit report, typically after a landlord sent the account to a collection agency. But the Experian announcement means millions of consumers can build and strengthen their credit by staying current with their rent.

"Given that one-third of the U.S. population rents, we felt it was imperative to reflect the true creditworthiness of those individuals who responsibly pay their rent," Brannan Johnston, vice president and managing director at Experian RentBureau, said in a news release. "We are thrilled to be industry leaders in this initiative, and look forward to providing this credit-building avenue to residents."

Renters should take heed, though, as this will soon become a two-way street. Experian plans to report only positive data in 2011. But negative rent information, i.e., late payments, are likely to become part of the mix in 2012.

Read more about rent payments and credit reports on The Huffington Post.