Rent-A-Center's down payment policy
Rent-A-Center does not require a down payment to start a rental agreement. You can take furniture or electronics home the same day you sign up, with no money due upfront beyond your first weekly or monthly payment. The company makes its money by collecting payments over time, not by collecting cash before you leave the store.
What you do pay depends on the item and the payment plan you choose. If you pick a weekly plan, your first payment is due when you sign the agreement. If you pick a monthly plan, your first payment is also due at signing. Either way, that first payment is the only money required before you walk out with the item.
This "no money down" structure is one reason Rent-A-Center appeals to people who do not have savings set aside or who have just faced an unexpected expense. You get the item now and spread the cost across many small payments instead of paying a large amount upfront.
Key Takeaways
- Rent-A-Center requires no down payment — you only pay your first weekly or monthly payment at signing.
- You take the item home the same day you complete the rental agreement.
- The total cost of renting includes the item price plus a rental fee, which means you pay significantly more than the item's retail price if you rent for the full term.
- You can own the item by paying it off early, but the total amount you pay will still exceed what you would pay to buy it outright at a store.
How the payment schedule works
When you sign a Rent-A-Center agreement, you choose how often you want to pay: weekly or monthly. Your first payment is due when ready, and then payments continue on that schedule until you either own the item or return it.
Weekly payments are smaller but add up faster over time. Monthly payments are larger but fewer in total. The rental agreement shows you the exact payment amount and the total cost if you make every payment until you own the item outright. Read this number carefully — it is often two or three times what the item costs at a regular store.
If you miss a payment, Rent-A-Center may charge a late fee and could repossess the item. The exact policy varies by location, so ask about late fees and what happens if you miss a payment before you sign.
What happens if you return the item early
You can return a rented item to Rent-A-Center at any time without penalty. You keep the payments you have already made — the company does not refund them. This means if you rent a couch for three months and then return it, you have paid for three months of use and have nothing to show for it.
Some people use Rent-A-Center for temporary needs: furniture while they are between apartments, a TV for a few months, a laptop while their computer is being repaired. If that matches your situation, returning early makes sense. If you think you will keep the item for years, buying it outright or financing it through a traditional loan will cost you less in the long run.
The total cost of renting versus buying
Rent-A-Center's pricing structure means you pay a rental fee on top of the item's base cost. A television that costs $400 at a big-box retailer might cost $600 or $700 total through Rent-A-Center if you make every payment until you own it. A bedroom set that costs $1,200 to buy might cost $2,000 or more through rent-to-own.
The longer you rent, the more you pay in total fees. This is why Rent-A-Center works best for people who need something temporarily or who genuinely cannot afford to buy it any other way. If you have any other option — saving for a few months, buying used, using a credit card with a 0% promotional period, or borrowing from family — those routes will cost you less.
Before you sign, ask Rent-A-Center for the total cost in writing. Compare that number to what the same item costs new at a store and what it costs used online. That comparison will show you whether renting makes sense for your situation.
Credit checks and what you need to bring
Rent-A-Center does not require a credit check or a credit card to rent. You do need to bring a government-issued ID and proof of income or a recent bank statement. The company uses these to verify that you are who you say you are and that you have money coming in.
Because there is no credit check, renting from Rent-A-Center does not affect your credit score. Your payment history with Rent-A-Center also does not report to the credit bureaus, so making payments on time will not help your credit either. This is different from a traditional loan, where on-time payments build your credit history.
When Rent-A-Center might make sense
Rent-A-Center works best in specific situations. If you need furniture or electronics right now and have no other way to get them, the no-down-payment structure removes one barrier. If you are not sure you will keep an item long-term — you are moving soon, you are testing whether you like a product, or you need something temporarily — renting lets you avoid buying something you will not use.
Rent-A-Center also works for people who have damaged credit or no credit history and cannot get approved for a traditional loan or credit card. The trade-off is that you pay more in total cost, but you get the item when ready without waiting for loan approval.
If you have time to save, can buy used, or can finance through another source, those routes will save you money. But if you need something now and have exhausted other options, Rent-A-Center's zero-down structure makes it possible to get what you need today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own the item before I finish paying?
Yes. You can pay off the remaining balance at any time and own the item when ready. The agreement shows you the payoff amount. However, paying early does not reduce the total amount you owe — you still pay the full rental cost, just compressed into fewer months.
What if I cannot make a payment?
Contact Rent-A-Center as soon as you know you will miss a payment. Some locations offer short grace periods or payment plan adjustments. If you do not pay and do not contact them, they will repossess the item. Once repossessed, you lose the item and the money you have already paid.
Does renting from Rent-A-Center hurt my credit?
No. Rent-A-Center does not report to credit bureaus, so renting does not affect your credit score — whether you pay on time or miss payments. This means renting will not help you build credit, but it also will not damage your score if you fall behind.
Can I transfer my rental to someone else?
No. The rental agreement is between you and Rent-A-Center. You cannot transfer it to another person or move it to a different Rent-A-Center location. If you need to return the item, you return it to the location where you rented it.
What items does Rent-A-Center have?
Rent-A-Center rents furniture, appliances, electronics, and computers. The specific items available vary by store location. Visit a store or check their website to see what is available near you.