What Rent-A-Center Is and How the Rental Model Works

Rent-A-Center is a rent-to-own retailer that lets you take home furniture, appliances, and electronics without paying the full price upfront. You make weekly or monthly payments, and after a set period—usually 12 to 24 months depending on the item—you own it. If you stop paying or return the item before that point, you do not own it and have no claim to it.

The company operates over 3,000 locations in the United States and Mexico. You can walk into a store, choose an item, sign a rental agreement on the spot, and leave with it the same day. There is no credit check, no background check, and no waiting period. This speed and lack of traditional credit requirements is why people use Rent-A-Center when they need furniture or appliances when ready and cannot get a traditional loan or credit card.

The trade-off is cost. Because Rent-A-Center assumes the risk that you will not complete the rental period, the total amount you pay over time is much higher than the item's retail price. A sofa that costs $800 to buy outright might cost $2,000 or more by the time you own it through rental payments.

Key Takeaways

  • Rent-A-Center lets you take home items when ready with weekly or monthly payments and no credit check, but the total cost is significantly higher than buying the item outright.
  • You own the item only after completing all payments; if you stop paying or return it early, you lose all money paid and have no ownership claim.
  • The rental agreement is a contract that specifies the payment amount, payment schedule, and the total number of payments needed to own the item.
  • Rent-A-Center reports payment history to credit bureaus only if you fall behind, so on-time payments may not help your credit score but missed payments can hurt it.
  • You are responsible for normal wear and tear, but Rent-A-Center covers major repairs and replacements during the rental period.

Understanding the Rental Agreement and Payment Terms

Before you leave the store with an item, you sign a rental agreement. This document states the weekly or monthly payment amount, the total number of payments you must make to own the item, and what happens if you miss a payment or want to return it early.

Payment schedules vary. Some items require weekly payments over 12 months; others require monthly payments over 24 months. The agreement will also state whether you can make early payoff payments to own the item faster, and whether there are any fees for doing so. Read this section carefully, because paying off early can sometimes save you money but not always—some agreements charge an early payoff fee.

If you miss a payment, Rent-A-Center will contact you. If you miss multiple payments, they will repossess the item. Once repossessed, you lose all the money you have paid toward ownership. The item goes back into inventory and is re-rented or sold. You do not get a refund for partial payments.

The Real Cost of Rent-to-Own Versus Buying Outright

The total amount you pay through Rent-A-Center is almost always more than the item's retail price. This difference exists because Rent-A-Center assumes the risk that you will not complete the rental period, and they price that risk into the payment schedule.

For example, a bedroom set with a retail price of $1,200 might have a rental agreement of $89 per month for 24 months. That totals $2,136—$936 more than the retail price. If you had taken out a personal loan or used a credit card with a typical interest rate, you would have paid far less in interest charges.

Before signing, ask the store associate for the total cost of ownership (the sum of all payments) and compare it to the item's retail price at other furniture stores. Many items are available at big-box retailers or online at a fraction of the total rental cost. If you have any way to save up or borrow money at a lower cost, that is usually a better financial choice than rent-to-own.

What Happens to Your Credit Score

Rent-A-Center does not report your rental agreement to the credit bureaus when you sign it. This means on-time payments do not help your credit score. However, if you fall behind on payments, Rent-A-Center may report the delinquency to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your score.

If you default on the agreement (miss enough payments that Rent-A-Center repossesses the item), the delinquency stays on your credit report for seven years. This can make it harder to get a mortgage, car loan, or credit card in the future, and it can raise the interest rates you are offered.

In other words, Rent-A-Center is a one-way street for your credit: it does not help you build credit, but it can damage your credit if you do not pay. If you are trying to build credit history, a secured credit card or a credit-builder loan from a credit union is a better choice.

Maintenance, Repairs, and What You Are Responsible For

During the rental period, you are responsible for normal wear and tear—small scratches, fading, or minor stains on furniture. You are not responsible for major defects or breakdowns. If an appliance stops working or a piece of furniture breaks due to a manufacturing defect, Rent-A-Center will repair or replace it at no cost to you.

However, if you damage an item through misuse—for example, you spill something that causes permanent staining, or you drop an appliance and crack the casing—Rent-A-Center may charge you a damage fee. The rental agreement will specify what counts as damage versus normal wear. If you are unsure, ask the store associate before you sign.

Keep your rental agreement and any receipts for payments. If a repair is needed, contact Rent-A-Center to schedule it. Do not attempt repairs yourself, because that may void the agreement or result in a damage charge.

Early Payoff, Returns, and What Happens If You Cannot Pay

If you want to own the item before the rental period ends, you can make an early payoff payment. The amount depends on your agreement—some allow you to pay off the remaining balance at any time, while others charge an early payoff fee. Ask about this before you sign.

If you want to return the item before the rental period ends, you can do so. Rent-A-Center will pick it up or you can return it to the store. However, you do not get a refund for the payments you have already made. You straightforward stop paying and lose ownership of the item.

If you fall behind on payments and cannot catch up, contact Rent-A-Center as soon as possible. Some locations offer payment plans or the ability to skip a payment in hardship situations, though this varies by location and agreement. If you do not contact them and payments remain unpaid, they will repossess the item, and the delinquency will be reported to the credit bureaus.

Alternatives to Rent-A-Center

If you need furniture or appliances but want to avoid the high cost of rent-to-own, consider these options:

  • Buy used from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local thrift stores. Used furniture is often a fraction of the retail price and much less than rent-to-own totals. You own it when ready.
  • Use a personal loan from a credit union or bank. If you have a credit history, a personal loan usually has a lower interest rate than the effective cost of rent-to-own.
  • Use a credit card with a 0% introductory period. Some cards offer 0% interest for 6 to 12 months on purchases. If you can pay off the balance within that window, you avoid interest entirely.
  • Buy from discount furniture retailers or during sales. Big-box stores and online retailers frequently discount furniture and appliances. Waiting for a sale can save you hundreds.
  • Ask friends or family for used items. Many people have furniture they no longer use and are willing to give it away or sell it cheaply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need good credit to rent from Rent-A-Center?

No. Rent-A-Center does not perform a credit check. You need a valid ID, proof of income (usually a recent pay stub), and proof of residence (a utility bill or lease). This is why people with no credit history or poor credit can rent from them.

What if I want to own the item but cannot afford the full rental price?

You can make an early payoff payment at any time, but the amount depends on your agreement. Some agreements allow you to pay off the remaining balance without penalty; others charge an early payoff fee. Ask about this before you sign. If the total cost is too high, consider the alternatives listed above.

Can Rent-A-Center come into my home to repossess an item?

Yes, if you fall behind on payments, Rent-A-Center can repossess the item. They will attempt to contact you first, but if you do not respond or make arrangements to catch up, they may send someone to your home to retrieve it. The item is their property until you complete all payments.

Will paying on time help me build credit?

No. Rent-A-Center does not report on-time payments to the credit bureaus, so they do not help your credit score. Only missed or delinquent payments are reported, and those hurt your score. If building credit is your goal, a secured credit card or credit-builder loan is a better choice.

What if the item breaks while I am renting it?

Contact Rent-A-Center to report the issue. If it is a manufacturing defect or normal wear, they will repair or replace it at no cost. If you caused the damage through misuse, they may charge a damage fee. The rental agreement specifies what is covered.