FHA Loan, No Credit Score
No credit score? You may still qualify for an FHA loan. Through manual underwriting, eligible borrowers can qualify using non-traditional credit, such as rent and utility payment history.
- Manual underwriting
- Non-traditional credit
- 3.5% down for qualified buyers
The basics
Program Overview and Highlights
An FHA loan with no credit score lets borrowers qualify based on overall financial responsibility, even without a traditional FICO score. Through manual underwriting, it considers non-traditional credit such as utility, phone and rental payment history. Qualified borrowers may get up to 96.5% financing (3.5% down) on single-family homes, FHA-approved condos and 2–4 unit properties, with a debt-to-income ratio of up to 43% in many cases.
- Underwriting
- Manual review
- Credit history
- Non-traditional
- Min. down
- 3.5%
How it works
Qualifying without a credit score
Manual underwriting takes a closer look at how you pay your bills. Here's what the process usually looks like.
- 01
Talk to a loan officer
Tell us about your income, savings and bills. We check whether manual underwriting for an FHA loan may be an option for you.
- 02
Gather your records
Collect proof of on-time payments, such as rent, utilities, phone and insurance, usually covering the past 12 months.
- 03
Manual underwriting
An underwriter reviews your payment history, income and debts by hand against FHA guidelines, instead of relying on a credit score.
- 04
Close and get your keys
Once your loan is approved, review your Closing Disclosure, sign your documents and move in.
What counts as credit
Non-Traditional Credit References
Every financial situation is unique. With manual underwriting, we can review a wide range of non-traditional credit references to help you qualify for an FHA loan, including:
Get a Quote- Rent or rent-to-own history
- Utility and phone bills
- Insurance and medical payments
- School tuition and childcare payments
- Car leases and personal loans
- Authorized user account history
- 12 months of regular savings deposits
- Retail store credit card usage
Manual underwriting
What lenders look at instead of a credit score
Without a score, an underwriter reviews your file by hand against FHA guidelines. These are the main things they weigh. Requirements can vary by lender, and approval is always subject to credit approval and program guidelines.
Rent payment history
On-time rent is often the most important reference. Lenders usually want about 12 months of payments, shown with canceled checks, bank statements or a landlord verification.
Other on-time bills
Utilities, phone, insurance, childcare and similar recurring bills can show how you handle obligations. Each reference is documented with statements or letters from the company.
Stable income and employment
The underwriter reviews pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns to confirm your income is steady and likely to continue.
Debt-to-income ratio
Your monthly debts, including the new house payment, are compared with your income. Limits are typically stricter when a loan is manually underwritten.
Savings and reserves
Documented funds for your down payment and closing costs, plus money left in the bank after closing, can strengthen your file.
No recent late payments
Late rent or other missed payments in the past year can make approval harder. A clean recent history matters more than a long one.
Have a credit score, even a low one? Compare standard FHA loan requirements, or ask a loan officer which route fits you.
Talk to a loan officerFHA no-credit-score FAQs
Possibly. FHA guidelines allow manual underwriting with nontraditional credit for borrowers who have no credit score, though not every lender offers it.
Nontraditional credit is a record of bills you pay on time that don't show up on a credit report, such as rent, utilities, phone, insurance and childcare payments.
Lenders usually want about 12 months of on-time payments, documented with statements, canceled checks or letters from the companies you pay. Rent history is often the most important reference.
FHA's minimum is generally 3.5% down, but lenders may set stricter requirements for borrowers without a score. Your loan officer can tell you what lenders in our network require.
No. No score means you have little or no credit history, while a low score reflects past credit problems. With a low score, FHA generally requires 3.5% down at 580 or higher and 10% down from 500 to 579.
Often, yes. An underwriter reviews your documents by hand, so having your payment records ready can help keep things moving.
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