I was recently denied a rental application because of bad credit. I've been better about it the last several years, so it was surprising. I requested a report from one of the agencies and was shocked to see a bunch of old bills still affecting my score. Some older than the touted seven years ago.
I realized there was a pattern. Mostly due to being chronically underpaid and having health insurance that has gotten more and more Dickensian over the decades. Expensive plans that require big out of pocket contributions. An example is a trip to urgent care that required an xray that cost almost $1000. I asked if I could split it up into payments and the answer is no- like it always is with medical shit. I paid them small amounts anyway, and the assholes sent it to a collection agency.
Now collection agencies are different. they are more than happy to split it into payment- whatever you can afford- of course with interest. It's like a payday loan, similar terms, similar audience. The only problem is after 60 days if you aren't paid up, you get dinged.
That the system is rigged against the poor is a cliche. The system is actually rigged against everyone who is not independently wealthy.
I'm trying to get those old things removed from my credit score, they will NOT age out as you might think. Or at least its not guaranteed. Definitely need to check that out.