To qualify for a Texas apartment you typically need gross monthly income at least three times the monthly rent, a credit score of 620 or above, and no recent evictions. Landlords must give you their written screening criteria before accepting your application fee — a legal requirement under Texas Property Code §92.3515.
What most Texas landlords require at a glance
- Gross monthly income of at least 3× the monthly rent (Ashford Communities, May 2026)
- Credit score of 620 or above for most properties (One Place Locators, April 2026)
- Government-issued ID, pay stubs or bank statements, and rental history references (Landlord Studio, September 2025)
- Written screening criteria must be disclosed before any application fee is collected (Texas Property Code §92.3515)
- Application fees run approximately $25–$90 per person; no statewide cap but must reflect actual screening costs (Texas Law Help, January 2025)
What income do you need to qualify for a Texas apartment?
The standard across Texas is the 3x rent rule: your gross monthly income must equal at least three times the monthly rent. For a $1,500/month apartment, that means at least $4,500 in verifiable gross monthly income.
Acceptable proof of income includes two to three recent pay stubs, W-2 forms, three to six months of bank statements, or a current tax return. If you are starting a new job, most landlords will accept a signed offer letter on company letterhead stating your salary and start date. Self-employed applicants typically need two years of federal tax returns and several months of bank statements to establish consistent income meeting the threshold.
What credit score do you need to rent in Texas?
There is no statewide minimum credit score, but most Texas landlords set their floor at 620 or above. In practice, approval odds vary by property class. The table below reflects Austin market observations and may differ in other Texas cities:
| Credit Score | Approximate Market Access | Typical Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 650+ | Broad access | Most properties, including newer builds |
| 600–649 | Broad access | Most Class B and older Class A |
| 570–599 | Limited | Class B/C; some second-chance properties |
| Below 550 | Very limited | Second-chance properties only |
Source: Austin Apartment Locators, March 2026. Results vary by market and management company.
A below-threshold credit score can sometimes be offset by strong, verifiable income, a spotless rental history, or an additional security deposit offered upfront. If your score falls short of the property’s minimum, a co-signer or guarantor is the most common path to approval.
What documents do you need to apply for a Texas apartment?
Prepare these before you submit your first application:
- Government-issued photo ID — driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Proof of income — two to three recent pay stubs, a W-2, tax return, or bank statements covering the last two to three months
- Offer letter — accepted at most properties if you are starting a new position within 30–60 days
- Rental history — names and details for previous landlords
- Social Security number or ITIN — required for the credit check; applicants without an SSN can often use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Under Texas Property Code §92.3515, landlords must also give you a written list of all selection criteria — covering income, credit, criminal history, and rental history — at the time you receive the rental application. You will be asked to sign an acknowledgment confirming you received that notice.
What does a Texas apartment background check cover?
A standard tenant background check in Texas includes a credit report, criminal history search, and eviction records.
Criminal history: Texas landlords may consider criminal records but cannot apply a blanket ban on all applicants with any conviction. Under HUD guidance published in the Federal Register in April 2024, landlords must conduct an individualized assessment — weighing the nature of the offense, the time elapsed, and any evidence of rehabilitation — rather than automatically rejecting any applicant with a record.
Eviction history: Most landlords review evictions going back seven years, consistent with standard tenant screening report timelines. A past eviction is not an automatic disqualifier at every property; some landlords will approve with a co-signer or an increased security deposit.
Adverse Action Notice: If your application is denied in whole or in part because of a consumer report, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the landlord to provide you with a written notice identifying the reporting company used and explaining how to request a free copy of your report.
How much is the Texas apartment application fee — and is it refundable?
Texas law does not cap the application fee, but fees must reflect only the actual costs of running a background check and credit report. In practice, most Texas landlords charge between $25 and $90 per adult applicant. (Texas Law Help / Austin Tenants Council, January 2025)
Application fees are generally non-refundable once you sign the written criteria acknowledgment — even if your application is denied.
The key exception: under Texas Property Code §92.3515(e), if a landlord denies your application without having first provided the written selection criteria notice, they are legally required to return your application fee and any application deposit in full.
Can a co-signer or guarantor help you qualify?
Yes. If your income or credit falls short of a property’s minimum, most Texas landlords will accept a qualified co-signer or guarantor. In Texas the two roles carry different legal weight:
Co-signer (co-tenant): Their name goes on the lease itself. They are jointly and severally liable for 100% of rent, fees, and damages from day one, and can be named in an eviction proceeding.
Guarantor: Signs a separate guaranty addendum — not the lease — and is typically only held liable after the primary tenant defaults. A guarantor has no right to occupy the unit.
Guarantors in Texas are typically expected to earn 4×–5× the monthly rent and a credit score of 680 or above at most Class A and B properties. (RentInSA, April 2026)
What renter protections apply during the Texas apartment application process?
Several federal and state protections apply before you ever sign a lease:
Disclosure before fees — Texas Property Code §92.3515 requires written disclosure of all selection criteria before any fee or deposit is collected. You must sign an acknowledgment.
Refund right on denial without notice — If the landlord did not provide written criteria and denies your application, you are entitled to a full refund of the application fee and any application deposit.
Fair Housing Act protections — Under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3604), landlords cannot discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. The Texas Fair Housing Act (Tex. Prop. Code §301.021) mirrors these protections.
Adverse Action Notice — If your application is denied based on a consumer report, federal law entitles you to a written notice identifying the reporting company and your right to dispute inaccurate information.
Sources
Texas Property Code §92.3515 — Notice of Eligibility Requirements; written criteria disclosure and fee refund rules: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Ashford Communities — How Much Do I Need to Make to Rent an Apartment in Texas?, 3x rent income rule, May 22, 2026: ashfordco.com
Austin Apartment Locators — What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Austin Apartment?, credit score tier table, March 7, 2026: austinapartmentlocators.com
One Place Locators — What Do You Need to Rent an Apartment in Texas?, April 27, 2026: oneplacelocators.com
Texas Law Help / Austin Tenants Council — Applying to Rent a Residence, application fees and deposits, January 27, 2025: texaslawhelp.org
RentInSA — Co-Signer vs Guarantor on a Texas Lease, legal distinction between co-signer and guarantor, April 21, 2026: rentinsa.com
HUD / Federal Register Vol. 89 No. 70 — Tenant Screening Guidance, individualized assessment for criminal history, April 10, 2024: regulations.gov
This article was written by Gia, an AI. 3Desk discloses AI-authored content in accordance with the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA, effective January 1, 2026). The content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Market data and rental figures reflect conditions at time of publication and may change. Always verify information independently and consult a licensed Texas real estate professional for advice specific to your situation.
For comments or corrections, please email newsroom@3desk.ai.