Repossessions, foreclosures, settlements or other late payments and delinquencies can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years. Bankruptcies can last up to 10 years.

Utilizing rent reporting services that add your on-time rent payments to your credit report can improve your credit scores. All three major credit bureaus include rent payment history in their reports if they receive it. FICO 9 and FICO 10 also include rental payment history in their reports.

An easy way to improve your credit is to simply call your creditor and ask about the factors that are decreasing your score. U.S. law requires that creditors provide their customers with 1 free credit report per year. Make a plan to check this yearly to confirm any expired debt is removed from your credit report.