Quick Answer: Move-in costs for a Garland apartment typically land between one and two months of rent once you add everything up. Expect a refundable security deposit near one month of rent, a nonrefundable application fee, an administrative charge, prorated first month rent, and a separate City of Garland utility deposit.
Move-in costs for a Garland apartment are easy to underestimate, because base rent is the only number most listings advertise. Serving renters across Garland and the wider northeast Dallas County area, communities here also collect deposits, one-time fees, and a utility deposit paid to the city. Pulling up the Hickory Apartments floor plans gives you a real rent figure to build the math around.
What Are Move-In Costs for a Garland Apartment?
Move-in costs for a Garland apartment are every dollar you hand over before you get keys, including refundable deposits and one-time charges you never see again. Garland renters usually pay a security deposit, an application fee, an administrative charge, the first month of rent, and a utility deposit to the city.
That last item catches people off guard. Garland runs its own electric and water utility, so the deposit goes to the city and the amount isn't negotiable.
Rent data for 2026 puts the citywide apartment average near $1,423 per month according to RentCafe and Yardi Matrix, with one-bedroom units closer to $1,265 and two-bedroom units around $1,561 per Rent.com. Published averages vary by provider, so treat them as a starting range.
How Much Is a Normal Security Deposit for a Garland Apartment?
A normal security deposit in Garland runs anywhere from a reduced $99 special to one full month of rent, which puts most renters between $300 and $1,600 upfront. Texas sets no dollar cap, so the figure comes down to the property, your credit file, and your rental history rather than a statute.
What Is the Average Apartment Security Deposit in Texas?
The average apartment security deposit nationally sits at about one month of rent, and Texas tracks that pattern closely. Applied to Garland rents, the average security deposit works out to roughly $1,265 to $1,561 at market rate. Plenty of Garland communities charge far less, and reduced-deposit specials show up often when occupancy dips.
How Landlords Set Your Apartment Deposit Amount
Your apartment deposit amount is a pricing decision, not a fixed rate. Screening results drive it. A clean credit file and solid rental history usually get you the advertised minimum, while a thin file or low income ratio can push the required apartment deposit to a full month of rent. Ask what the deposit would be at each approval tier before you apply. That one question can swing your upfront total by a thousand dollars.
Is the Average Damage Deposit Separate From What You Already Paid?
In Texas, no. There's no separate average damage deposit in most leases, because the security deposit already covers damage beyond normal wear and tear. Under Texas Property Code Chapter 92, a landlord has 30 days after you surrender the unit to refund the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, and that clock starts only once you give a written forwarding address. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to three times the withheld amount plus $100 and attorney's fees, which the Texas State Law Library guide to security deposit refunds explains in plain language.
What Fees and First Month Charges Should You Budget For?
Fees are where a normal deposit for renting stops telling the whole story. Nonrefundable charges stack fast, and a large share of the move-in costs for a Garland apartment is money you never get back. Here's how the pieces sort out.
| Upfront charge | Typical Garland range | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $20 to $100 per adult | No |
| Administrative or move in fee | $100 to $500 | No |
| Security deposit | $99 to one month of rent | Yes |
| Pet deposit plus pet rent | $200 to $500, then $10 to $30 monthly | Partly |
| City of Garland utility deposit | $75 or $200, plus $30 setup | Yes |
Application Fees and the Move In Fee
Texas law splits these cleanly. An application fee is nonrefundable and covers screening costs, while an application deposit holds the unit and must come back if you're rejected. A move in fee, sometimes labeled an administrative fee, is a separate nonrefundable charge that usually runs 20 to 50 percent of one month of rent. Two protections matter: a property that never makes its written tenant selection criteria available and then denies you owes back both the fee and the deposit, and you count as rejected if no acceptance notice arrives within seven days.
First Month Rent, Prorated Rent, and Garland Utility Deposits
Sign a lease starting mid-month and you'll pay prorated rent for the partial month, then a full payment on the first. Some Garland communities also collect the second month upfront when a lease starts after the 20th, so confirm the schedule before you commit.
Then there's the city. Garland Power and Light's start-service requirements set a $200 base deposit for electric accounts, which covers water and solid waste too, or $75 for water-only accounts, plus a $30 account establishment fee on your first bill. A $10 Experian credit check or a letter of credit from a previous utility can waive the deposit entirely. Budget another $15 to $25 a month for renters insurance, which most Garland communities require before releasing keys.
Weighing a Lease Against Rooms for Rent in Garland TX
Rooms for rent in Garland TX carry a lower entry price, often a few hundred dollars for a room deposit and no administrative charge. The tradeoff is real, though. Room shares and sublets frequently leave you off the lease, which means no claim to Chapter 92 deposit protections and no utility account in your own name. Move-in costs for a Garland apartment run higher on day one, but a standard lease protects you far better on day 400. A walkthrough of the Hickory Apartments photo gallery makes the comparison easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much money should I save before renting an apartment in Garland, TX?
Save one and a half to two months of rent. For a $1,265 one-bedroom, move-in costs for a Garland apartment land near $1,900 to $2,530, covering the security deposit, application and administrative fees, prorated first month rent, and the $200 City of Garland utility deposit.
2. Can a Garland landlord keep my whole security deposit?
Only for unpaid rent or damage past normal wear and tear, and only with an itemized written list delivered within 30 days of surrender. Common lawful deductions include:
- Unpaid rent, late fees, and utility balances owed under the lease
- Repairs for holes, stains, or broken fixtures caused by tenants
- Cleaning charges beyond ordinary turnover cleaning
- Unreturned keys, fobs, gate remotes, or mail keys
- Re-keying costs when the lease authorizes them in bold or underlined text
3. Is the application fee refundable if I'm denied in Texas?
Usually not. Application fees are nonrefundable by statutory definition because they pay for screening. The exception matters: if the property never made its criteria available and then rejected your application, it must return the fee and any application deposit.
4. Do I need a separate utility deposit for a Garland apartment?
Yes, in most cases. The City of Garland charges $200 for electric service, which bundles water and solid waste, or $75 for water-only accounts, plus a $30 account establishment fee. Cash deposits come back after 12 months of on-time payments if you request them.
5. Can I negotiate the deposit or move in fee at a Garland apartment?
Sometimes. Deposits tied to screening tiers rarely move, but administrative fees often soften during slow leasing months or when you commit to a longer term. Ask what a 14-month or 15-month lease would change, and whether a reduced-deposit option is available.
Conclusion
Move-in costs for a Garland apartment come down to four buckets: a refundable deposit, nonrefundable fees, prorated first month rent, and the city utility deposit. Get a written total for all four before you apply, and treat the $200 Garland Power and Light deposit as a line item rather than a surprise. Start at the Hickory Apartments Garland community page, then check the map and directions for Hickory Apartments to see how the location fits your commute.
