Quick Answer: This How to Apply for an Apartment in Texas: Step-by-Step Guide breaks the process into seven stages: check the property's written criteria, gather your ID and income proof, tour the unit, submit the application and fee, pass the background check, add a co-signer if your file needs it, then review and sign the lease. Most Texas approvals land within 24 to 72 hours.
Applying for an apartment in Texas is mostly about paperwork and timing. Get your documents in order, meet the income and credit rules, and the rest moves quickly. At Hickory Apartments in Garland, TX, we walk future residents through each step so the application feels routine instead of stressful. This guide covers the documents, fees, and screening rules renters run into most.
What You Need to Apply for an Apartment in Texas
Before you apply, collect the documents landlords ask for and confirm you meet their income and credit standards. Most Texas communities want a photo ID, proof of income, rental history, and a Social Security number or ITIN for screening. Texas law also entitles you to the written selection criteria before you pay a fee, so you can judge your odds first.
- A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport.
- Proof of income: two to four recent pay stubs, an offer letter, or bank statements and tax returns if you are self-employed.
- Rental history with names and contact details for your past two landlords.
- A Social Security number or ITIN, plus written consent for a credit and background check.
- The application fee, usually $30 to $50 per adult, which is nonrefundable whether or not you are approved.
How to Apply for a Texas Apartment, Step by Step
The Texas apartment application follows a predictable order. Once your documents are ready, the whole thing can wrap in a day or two. Here is the full run, first tour to signed lease, with the parts that trip renters up flagged along the way.
- Read the tenant selection criteria. Texas law requires the community to hand you its written qualifying standards before you pay to apply. Read the income, credit, and rental-history rules first.
- Confirm your budget. Aim for rent at or below one-third of your gross monthly income, since most Texas landlords want you earning about three times the rent.
- Gather and scan your documents. Save your ID, income proof, and landlord references as PDFs so you can upload them without a scramble.
- Tour the unit and lock the terms. Confirm the rent, lease length, deposit, and any pet or parking fees before you commit to anything.
- Submit the application and pay the fee. You can start your application online, and each adult applicant pays a separate, nonrefundable fee.
- Consent to screening. You will sign a release for a credit and background check. A score around 600 to 620 clears most communities, though some want 680 or higher.
- Add support if needed, then sign. Thin credit or a short rental record is often solved with a guarantor or a larger deposit. Once approved, review the lease, pay your deposit and first month's rent, and pick up your keys.
How Much Is Average Rent in Texas?
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Texas is $1,452 a month, based on RentCafe data drawn from Yardi Matrix and the U.S. Census Bureau. Studios cost less and larger units cost more, and prices swing hard between metros. Budget with real numbers before you apply, not a rough guess.
The table below compares average rent by apartment size across Texas and two of its largest metros. Renters hunting for apartments in Texas will see how much a single city choice changes the math.
| Apartment type | Texas average | Dallas | Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,091 | $1,253 | $997 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,265 | $1,416 | $1,194 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,588 | $1,854 | $1,513 |
| All apartments | $1,452 | $1,593 | $1,349 |
Different rental sites report slightly different averages, so use these as a guide, not a quote. The pool of Texas apartments for rent is large, and touring two or three communities usually turns up a better deal than the first listing you walk through.
Studio Apartment, 1 Bedroom Apartment, or University Apartments?
Unit type shapes both your rent and your approval odds. A studio apartment keeps monthly costs lowest for solo renters. A 1 bedroom apartment adds a separate sleeping space for a few hundred dollars more, which most people find worth it. University apartments near campuses run their own screening, often built around student budgets and shorter lease terms.
Students applying to university apartments usually lean on a parent or guarantor to clear the three-times-rent income rule, since part-time earnings rarely qualify alone. Per-bed leases are common near schools like UT Dallas, so each roommate signs for their own room. Renters weighing space against price can compare one and two-bedroom floor plans to see what fits the budget.
Cheap Places to Live in Texas and Affordable Housing in Texas
If rent is the deciding factor, a handful of metros stretch a paycheck further. Some of the cheap places to live in Texas for renters include El Paso, Amarillo, Lubbock, and Killeen, where averages sit well below Austin or Dallas. Amarillo's median rent, near $984, is among the lowest the state tracks.
Affordable housing Texas renters can access falls into two groups: income-restricted communities and rental vouchers. Housing Choice Vouchers, run through local housing authorities and HUD, help households earning under set limits, though waitlists are long and vary by county. Income and rent limits update every year, so check current figures before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to apply for an apartment in Texas?
Most Texas communities ask for the same core set, so have these ready before you start:
- A government-issued photo ID.
- Proof of income, like recent pay stubs or an offer letter.
- Contact details for your past landlords.
- Your Social Security number or ITIN for screening.
Missing paperwork is the single biggest reason applications stall.
What credit score do you need to rent an apartment in Texas?
There is no single cutoff, but most Texas landlords look for a score around 600 to 620. Higher-end communities may want 680 or more. A lower score does not always mean rejection. A co-signer, proof of steady income, or a larger security deposit can offset it and still get you approved.
How much does it cost to apply for a Texas apartment?
Application fees usually run $30 to $50 per adult and are nonrefundable, approved or not. Some communities also collect an administrative or holding fee to pull the unit off the market while they review your file. Ask for the full fee breakdown in writing before you submit anything.
How long does apartment approval take in Texas?
Most Texas communities decide within 24 to 72 hours once your application is complete. Delays almost always trace back to unverified income, a missing document, or a past landlord who is slow to respond. A polite follow-up call or email can keep your file near the top of the pile.
Can I rent an apartment in Texas with no credit history?
Yes, though you may need to add weight to your application. Options include a qualified co-signer, a larger deposit, or a few months of bank statements showing steady deposits. First-time renters are common, and plenty of communities approve them when income and rental references check out.
Ready to Apply for an Apartment in Garland, TX?
Knowing how to apply for an apartment in Texas turns a stressful scramble into a short checklist: read the criteria, gather your documents, budget honestly, and submit early. Garland sits in the affordable end of the Dallas metro, which makes it a practical spot to start your search. When you are ready to tour or apply, our team is a quick drive away. Check our map and directions and come see a floor plan in person.
