June 14, 2021

Find Out How Online Rent Payments Can Boost Your Credit

If you’re looking for ways to increase your credit score, we have an easy answer for you: Try making a rent payment online! A 2017 TransUnion study of 12,000 renters found that renters’ scores rose an average of 16 points within six months, and the benefit was greatest for those who started with a credit score below 620.

Try paying your rent online and see what it does to your credit score! Paying online ensures your payments are reported, shows credit bureaus what they are looking for, and can combine with credit card payments to increase your score even more. Here’s how.

Ensures Your Payments Are Reported

Did you know that at The James Apartment Homes , we offer an online rent payment system that reports information to the credit bureaus? Yes! Our renters who pay online have a record of their on-time rental payments sent to the credit bureaus.

That’s because “simply paying your rent will not help you build credit,” as Bev O’Shea at NerdWallet explains . “But reporting your rent payments can help you build credit—especially if you are new to credit or do not have a lot of experience using it.”

Makes You Look Good

To understand how online rental payments make you look good, it helps to understand what goes into a credit score. Experian, for example, calculates credit scores through the following elements :

Use of credit cards
Payment history
Applications for new loans and credit

So, when you make an online rent payment, those payments become part of your payment history. As you pay on time and in full and continue to do so, that becomes part of your score, too.

Combines with Credit Card Payments for Higher Score Gains

You probably already knew that paying off your credit card can boost your credit score, so here’s an idea to try: Get a credit card specifically for paying your rent!

“Open a credit card and use it to pay your rent . . . then pay your credit card balance in full each month,” says LaToya Irby, credit expert for The Balance. “The timely credit card payments will help boost your credit score.”

Increase your credit score by paying your rent online through our online rent payment system . You’ll get your payments reported and look good to the credit bureaus. And if you use a credit card exclusively for rent, you may see even more of a boost. Best wishes in your journey towards the best credit score of your life!

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Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit at The James

May 21, 2026

At The James , we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us. 1. The AppFolio Resident Portal App The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs: Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card. Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow. Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime. 2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinata Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to offer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata. How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.) 3. More Ways the App Helps You Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Riverside community. You can: Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs. Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details. Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents. At The James , we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle.