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Self-reporting your bills to the credit bureaus can be a helpful strategy, but it works best when you understand what it can and can’t do.

For years, credit scores were built mainly around loans and credit cards. Rent, utilities, and phone bills didn’t typically count toward your score, even though they’re some of the most consistent payments people make. That’s slowly changing. Today, certain services allow you to report on-time payments for things like rent, utilities, and streaming or phone plans to the credit bureaus. When those payments are reported positively, they can add to your payment history, which is the single most important factor in most credit scoring models.

This can be especially helpful for people with limited credit history or those rebuilding their credit. If you don’t have many traditional credit accounts, reporting rent or utility payments can give scoring models more information to evaluate. In some cases, this can lead to a modest score increase and a stronger overall credit profile. Newer scoring models such as FICO 9, FICO 10, and VantageScore are more likely to factor in these types of payments.

However, it’s important to know that not all lenders use the newest scoring models. Many mortgage lenders, for example, still rely on older FICO versions that may not consider self-reported rent or utility payments. That means you might see improvement in your general credit score without a dramatic change in the score used for a home loan. It still strengthens your overall credit picture, but the impact can vary depending on the type of financing you’re pursuing.

Self-reporting is usually most beneficial for people with thin credit files or those trying to establish a consistent payment history. If you already have strong credit with multiple well-managed accounts, the impact may be smaller. It can still help, but it’s unlikely to create a major jump on its own.

There are a few cautions to keep in mind. First, make sure any service you use reports only positive payments or that you are extremely confident you will always pay on time. If late payments are reported, they can hurt your score. Second, consider the cost. Some services charge a monthly fee to report bills. In some cases, that money may be better used to pay down existing debt, which often has a more direct and predictable effect on credit scores.

At its core, credit scoring still rewards the fundamentals: paying on time, keeping credit card balances low, and maintaining a mix of established accounts. Self-reporting bills can be a helpful supplement, especially for those building credit, but it works best as part of a broader strategy rather than a standalone fix.

When used thoughtfully, reporting everyday bills can turn routine payments into a tool for building stronger credit. Over time, that consistent, positive history can make it easier to qualify for better rates, better terms, and more financial flexibility.