Tenant guide
KSV1870 credit checks: renting in Vienna without a local credit history
A blank record is not a bad record. Landlords mainly want to know that rent will be paid; there are several ways to show that.
What the KSV report is
KSV1870 is Austria's best-known credit bureau. When a landlord asks for a KSV-Auskunft or Bonitätsauskunft, they want a report showing you have no record of unpaid debts.
You can request your own data from KSV1870 free of charge under the GDPR, which takes longer, or buy an instant report on their website.
No Austrian history yet?
- A credit report from your home country, such as a SCHUFA report from Germany.
- A letter from your employer confirming your contract and salary.
- A guarantor with Austrian income.
- A bank guarantee or a larger deposit.
A useful rule of thumb
Many landlords look for a net household income of around three times the gross rent. If you are below that, a guarantor usually closes the gap.
General guidance only, not legal or financial advice.