Why are everyday bills, such as utility payments and rent payments?
In the UK, and most probably in the USA too I'd think, utilities such as water, gas and electricity are deemed essential for one's survival. That's why utility companies would only cut someone off in very extreme cases - imagine what the flak a utility company would get if a family of four with kids being hospitalised for hypothermia because they can't pay their heating bill. So essential bills such as these are not reported to credit bureaus. However, non essential utilities such as mobile phones and wifi bills are indeed reported, and so is rent in the UK. Telecom companies will look at credit reports before offering a sim card. Nowadays landlords frequently check the tenant's credit rreport before renting the place out. Only that they can only access part of the credit report concerning rentals, and not the part concerning loans, credit cards etc.