What bills make your credit score go up?

Asked by: Vickie Hills  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (21 votes)

Bills that build credit are typically those for loans and credit cards (mortgages, auto, student loans, credit cards) when paid on time, but you can also get credit for rent, utilities (phone, internet, gas, water), and even streaming services through special services like Experian Boost or by paying them with a credit card. The key is on-time payments reported to the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).

What bills build credit scores?

What bills impact your credit score?

  • Utility bills. ...
  • Rent payments. ...
  • Mortgage payments. ...
  • Medical bills. ...
  • Student loan payments. ...
  • Auto loan payments. ...
  • Credit card payments. ...
  • Cell phone bills and financing.

What bills qualify for credit boost?

Here are the kinds of bills that may qualify:

  • Gas, electricity, and water.
  • Phone bills.
  • Internet service.
  • Trash collection.
  • Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+

What utility bills affect your credit score?

Utility companies do not report accounts and payment history to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax), and as a result, these types of bills have not historically had an impact on your credit scores.

What payments make your credit score go up?

Regular, on-time payment of the minimum amount (or greater) will improve your credit score. An on-time payment history in the range of 18 months or longer will begin to show results in a growing credit score. Quick Tips for Credit Card and Loan Payments: Set up automatic payments.

INCREASE Your Credit Score in 30 Days | How to Increase Your Credit Score

20 related questions found

What raises credit scores fastest?

The fastest ways to boost your credit score are paying down credit card balances (lowering credit utilization), paying all bills on time (especially before the statement closing date), disputing credit report errors, and using services like Experian Boost for utility/rent payments, as reducing debt and fixing inaccuracies offers quick wins, while on-time payments build history. 

What is the 2 2 2 credit rule?

The 2-2-2 credit rule is a guideline for building a strong credit profile, suggesting you have two active revolving accounts (like credit cards) open for at least two years, with on-time payments for those two consecutive years, often with a minimum $2,000 limit per account, demonstrating reliable credit management to lenders. It shows you can handle multiple credit lines consistently, reducing lender risk and improving your chances for approval on larger loans, like mortgages.
 

What bills go on your credit report?

Quick Answer. The types of bills that affect your credit scores are those that are reported to the national credit bureaus. This includes consumer debts and unpaid bills turned over to collections. If you use Experian Boost, eligible recurring payments could also help credit scores based on your Experian credit report.

What are the 5 main things that affect your credit score?

5 Factors That Impact Your Credit Score

  • Factor #1: Payment History. This shows how you've paid your accounts, including whether they've been paid on time and in full.
  • Factor #2: Credit Utilization. ...
  • Factor #3: Length of Credit History. ...
  • Factor #4: Types of Credit. ...
  • Factor #5: Recent Activity. ...
  • Implement and Improve.

Does water affect credit score?

If you don't pay your water and sewerage bill, after we have sent you a reminder, we may register a default with the Credit Reference Agencies which shows you haven't paid us. When a default is registered against you for non-payment, it will remain on your credit file for six years.

What is the biggest killer of credit scores?

The single biggest thing that hurts your credit score is late payments, especially those 30+ days past due, as payment history accounts for 35% of a FICO score; maxing out credit cards (high credit utilization) and opening too many new accounts quickly also cause significant damage, while major negative events like bankruptcy are devastating.
 

What credit score do you need for a $400,000 house?

To buy a $400k house, you generally need a credit score of at least 620 for a conventional loan, but you can get approved with lower scores (around 500-580) for FHA loans with a larger down payment, while excellent scores (740+) secure better rates. The required score depends more on your loan type (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA) and lender than the home's price, with higher scores leading to lower interest rates. 

How to raise credit score 100 points in 30 days?

You can potentially increase your credit score by 100 points in 30 days, but it's not guaranteed and depends on your current credit situation; focus on quickly lowering credit utilization by paying down balances (especially high-limit cards), ensuring all payments are on time, disputing errors on your report, becoming an authorized user on a trusted account, and getting a credit limit increase to see significant jumps. 

What is the fastest way to build up your credit score?

The fastest ways to boost your credit score are paying down credit card balances (lowering credit utilization), paying all bills on time (especially before the statement closing date), disputing credit report errors, and using services like Experian Boost for utility/rent payments, as reducing debt and fixing inaccuracies offers quick wins, while on-time payments build history. 

What debt should I pay off first to raise my credit score?

Pay Off High Credit Utilization Debt

For borrowers seeking to improve their credit score, paying down high credit utilization debt should be a priority. When your credit cards are maxed out, your credit utilization ratio increases, which can lower your score.

How to get a 720 credit score in 6 months?

To get a 720 credit score in 6 months, focus intensely on paying all bills on time, drastically lowering credit utilization (below 30%, ideally under 10%) by paying down balances or strategically paying before statement dates, keeping old accounts open, and minimizing new credit applications. Dispute any errors on your credit report immediately and consider becoming an authorized user on a well-managed account for a quick boost, ensuring consistency is key. 

How can I quickly improve my score?

What actions you can take to boost your credit scores?

  1. Review your credit reports for errors and dispute any inaccuracies. ...
  2. Keep paying your bills on time. ...
  3. Improve your credit mix. ...
  4. Improve credit utilization. ...
  5. Read more.

What brings credit score down the most?

5 Things That May Hurt Your Credit Scores

  • Highlights: Even one late payment can cause credit scores to drop. ...
  • Making a late payment. ...
  • Having a high debt to credit utilization ratio. ...
  • Applying for a lot of credit at once. ...
  • Closing a credit card account. ...
  • Stopping your credit-related activities for an extended period.

How to get 800 credit score in 45 days?

Getting an 800 credit score in just 45 days is challenging, as significant scores usually take time, but you can make rapid progress by focusing on paying down credit card balances to lower utilization (under 30%, ideally under 10%), paying all bills on time, disputing errors on your credit report, and possibly becoming an authorized user on a trusted account, while avoiding new credit applications. The most impactful actions for quick changes involve reducing high balances and fixing mistakes, as payment history and utilization are key factors. 

What bills boost credit score?

Something as simple as paying your existing bills such as water and energy on time will build up a good payment history and make it easier to obtain credit in the future.

What purchases increase credit score?

Paying your bill on time is an important factor. Paying for minor purchases like groceries and gas can help build credit. Major purchases, such as cars and home appliances, also contribute to credit building. Keeping credit utilization low is essential for maintaining a good credit score.

What shows up on a full credit report?

Your credit report includes personal information about you, as well as details about your credit products and payment history. Information about past bankruptcy, judgements, tax liens and other items will also be included, if applicable.

What will a 700 credit score get you?

With a 700 credit score (considered "Good"), you're well-positioned to get approved for most major loans like mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans with more competitive interest rates and terms than someone with a lower score, plus you'll qualify for better rewards credit cards and may even see lower insurance premiums. You can access a wide range of financial products, but to get the best rates, scores above 740-760 are often needed. 

How to increase credit score by paying twice a month?

The 15/3 rule

For those who want to pay credit cards twice a month, the “15/3 rule” may be a good strategy. The 15/3 rule suggests making two payments during your billing cycle: one payment 15 days before the statement closing date and another payment three days before the closing date.

What happens if I pay an extra $500 a month on my 20 year mortgage?

Paying an extra $500 a month on your 20-year mortgage significantly cuts down your loan term and saves you tens of thousands in interest by quickly reducing the principal, potentially paying it off years early and building equity much faster. Ensure your lender applies the extra funds directly to the principal for maximum impact, though even paying extra towards the standard P&I (Principal & Interest) helps.