# First Time Renter Apartments Texas | Free | Bad Credit Apartments > First time renter apartments Texas renters can apply for with no credit or rental history. We send a free custom list of communities within 24 to 48 hours. URL: https://www.badcreditapartments.com/first-time-renter-apartments/ Free to renters · TREC licensed # No Rental History? First Time Renter Apartments Texas Renting your first apartment shouldn't take a rental history you haven't had a chance to build yet. Maybe you're a student, a recent grad, or new to the U.S. without a credit file. We find first time renter apartments Texas leasing offices will consider, and what they'll take in place of a track record. [Get My Free List](/get-my-list/) [Call (866) 782-2401](tel:+18667822401) ![First Time & No Rental History Apartment Locating](/images/misc/excited-first-time-renter-receiving-keys-at-austin.webp) 100% Free to renters 30+ Years combined experience 5 Metros Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio Same day reply on business days ## How Do First Time Renters Find Apartments in Texas? Ever feel stuck trying to get approved for your very first place? It's a frustrating loop. The usual application often asks for good credit and a clean rental history right out of the gate. It feels impossible to build that history without someone giving you a chance first. We're a TREC licensed apartment locating service working across five Texas metros. With over 30 years of combined real estate experience, we've placed many renters across Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio. Plenty of them were first timers with no rental or credit history. We work with every credit score, including under 500, and with renters who have no credit at all. A thin file or low credit doesn't rule you out, especially when your paperwork tells a clear story. A RentCafe study of 2020 lease applications put the average U.S. renter's credit score at 638. That's a big wall for beginners. We'll walk you through the steps to get those keys in your hand. Having someone who does this every day look at your file helps a lot. ## What Do Texas Leasing Offices Accept Instead of Credit? When your rental history is blank, leasing managers look for three signs that you can pay. At garden style complexes, midrises, and towers across Texas, managers go straight to your income and stability. They need proof you can handle the rent. Here are the three main things they check: ### Income Requirements Your paycheck needs to show you make at least three times the monthly rent. We always tell clients to have their most recent paystubs or a job offer letter ready. For a $1,500 apartment, that means showing at least $4,500 a month to qualify on your own. If you freelance or do gig work, we can help you use three months of bank deposits to prove your income. Money in the bank goes a long way with leasing offices. ### Job Stability A steady job history makes the leasing office feel better about your application. Managers want to see that you've been at your current job for at least a few months. A signed contract with a set end date works fine too. Many communities run your file through screening software like SafeRent or RealPage, so it really helps to have clean paperwork ready. ### Backup Support Many buildings ask for a co-signer or a slightly higher security deposit if your credit file is thin. Most communities want one or the other, not both. A guarantor usually has to show more income than you do. A co-signer gives the landlord a solid safety net. We work with every credit score, including scores under 500, and with first time renters who have no credit at all. Our form asks roughly where your score sits so we know where to start. Here's what usually helps at each level: | Your score | What we work with | What usually helps | |---|---|---| | Under 500 | Yes. We build a list for this range too | Proof of 3x the rent in income, plus a co-signer or guarantor service, and money set aside for a bigger deposit | | 500 to 529 | Yes | Proof of income, a co-signer or guarantor service, and a bigger deposit | | 530 to 579 | Yes | Proof of income, a bigger deposit or a guarantor service, and steady job history | | 580 to 619 | Yes | Proof of 3x the rent and a few months at your current job | | 620 to 679 | Yes | Recent paystubs or an offer letter and a clean, complete application | | 680 or higher | Yes | A complete file. With no rental history, some communities still ask for a bigger deposit | | First-time renter or no credit | Yes | An offer letter or paystubs, bank statements, and a co-signer or guarantor service if asked | ## Renting in Texas When You're in School Getting an apartment as a student can feel overwhelming when you haven't worked long. We help students sort out the rules at different Texas communities every day. Many popular buildings want a parent to co-sign the lease. We can point you to buildings that take a financial aid statement plus a solid bank balance. Some properties ask for first and last month's rent up front in place of a guarantor. You have a few ways to get approved, depending on your situation. Here's how student approvals usually work: | How You Get Approved | What You Need | Works Well If You | |---|---|---| | Parent Co-signer | Proof of income well above the rent | Have family who can sign with you | | Guarantor Company | A fee to a company that co-signs for you | Don't have a family co-signer | | Financial Aid | Official award letter and bank statement | Have grants or scholarships | Our team tracks which buildings take student applications in all five metros. We track prices and transit access in each area. Guarantor companies like TheGuarantors will act as your co-signer for a fee based on your profile. That's a good option if your family can't sign the lease with you. ## How to Turn a Job Offer Into a Signed Lease Starting your career is exciting, but finding a place fast can add a lot of stress. We often help recent grads turn a fresh offer letter into a signed lease. At communities that take offer letters, one with a confirmed start date and a stated salary often does the job. We help you lay out this paperwork clearly with bank statements that show a bit of savings. A strong application for a new grad should include: - **Job Offer Letter:** A formal, signed document on official company letterhead. - **Bank Statements:** Two months of recent records that show your cash reserves, big or small. - **Identification:** A clear copy of a government photo ID. - **Employer Contact:** A direct contact in your new company's HR department. Clean applications move faster, since the leasing office isn't waiting on missing pages. We see solo searches drag out for weeks all the time. A clean, complete application cuts out that wasted time. Starting a new job in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, or San Antonio? You can focus on your new job and let the leasing office work through your paperwork. ## How Do International Renters Get Approved? Moving to the United States is harder when you don't have a U.S. credit file. We walk international renters through the application so the move goes smoothly. Many property managers across Texas will take other forms of ID and financial proof. We help you put your file together so the leasing office sees everything right away. Here's what you'll need: - **Passport and Visa:** Your main form of ID. - **ITIN:** This is the nine digit [Individual Taxpayer Identification Number](https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/individual-taxpayer-identification-number-itin). The IRS issues it if you don't have a Social Security number. - **Offer Letter:** A formal document from your new U.S. employer. - **Bank Statements:** Two to three months of records from a local bank. - **Translated Credit:** Services like Nova Credit can turn your credit history from home into a U.S. score. Some communities want a co-signer. Others are easygoing about it. We can tell you which buildings are which. A clean, full file keeps the office from bouncing it back. We keep you from paying application fees at buildings that automatically deny applicants without a U.S. credit file. Good prep gives you the strongest shot. ## What Does It Cost to Move Into Your First Apartment? To budget for your move, you need to know every fee up front. Our locating service is free to you. Zillow's 2025 renter survey found that 73 percent of recent renters paid an application fee. We don't want your move in costs to catch you off guard. Each community sets its own fees, and Texas law doesn't cap how big a security deposit can be. We find out the real numbers for each place on your list. Here are the most common costs to plan for: | Fee Type | What to Expect | When You Pay It | |---|---|---| | Application Fee | Charged per adult, set by each community | When you apply | | Administrative Fee | Varies, and some communities don't charge one | At lease signing, or with the application at some communities | | Security Deposit | Often about one month's rent, more with a thin file | Before picking up keys | Renters with a clean history typically pay a deposit equal to one month of rent. With a thin credit file, you might pay a bigger deposit. We tell you these totals before you even tour a property. That way you can plan your budget. ### Working With Us vs. Searching on Your Own | Feature | Searching on Your Own | Bad Credit Apartments | |---|---|---| | Cost to renter | $0 (plus wasted application fees) | **$0, always free** | | Checking your fit first | None: apply and hope | **A list of communities we've checked for you** | | Time to a list of options | Weeks of searching | **A custom list in 24 to 48 hours** | | Knowing what each community checks | Guessing from online reviews | **30+ years of combined real estate experience** | | Help applying | None | **Full help with documents and applying** | Ready to get a real list of Texas communities that work with first timers? We match first time renters to flexible communities across Texas at no cost. You can [request your list](/get-my-list/). It's a free talk with no obligation. You'll usually hear back from one of our agents the same day. ### Free, fast, no judgment. Tell us where you stand. You'll get a list of communities we've checked against your situation. [Get My Free List](/get-my-list/) ### What's included - ✓ Help finding a place with zero rental history - ✓ No credit file, or new to the U.S.? We help with that too. - ✓ Help with co-signers and deposit alternatives - ✓ A walkthrough of your first lease - ✓ Matching you to communities that care more about income than credit ## What working with us looks like ![First Time Renters service step 1](/images/features/renter-with-laptop-searching-austin-apartments.webp) ![First Time Renters service step 2](/images/features/renters-reviewing-co-signer-agreement.webp) ![First Time Renters service step 3](/images/features/renter-with-passport-and-offer-letter.webp) ![First Time Renters service step 4](/images/features/renters-touring-first-austin-apartment.webp) ## How our free apartment locating service works 1 ### Tell us where you are Student, recent grad, new to the U.S., or just out on your own for the first time? We adjust to you. 2 ### Find communities that work with first timers Our search targets properties that care more about income and stability than a thin credit or rental file. 3 ### We walk you through the application We explain every line, every fee, and every term. Nothing in your lease should surprise you. 4 ### Help on move in day We stay in the loop until keys are in your hand. ## 100% free, no judgment, no obligation. We've helped many Texas renters find communities that said yes when others said no. Let us build your list. [Get My Free List](/get-my-list/) [Call (866) 782-2401](tel:+18667822401) Takes under 30 seconds. Same-day callbacks, most days. We work with clients who have a range of low credit scores, including under 500, first-time renters and those with no credit. ## Common questions from first time renters in Texas ### Can I get an apartment in Texas with no credit history? Yes. We work with first time renters who have no credit file, and many Texas communities will consider them. You'll usually need income of at least 3x the monthly rent or a co-signer. We check communities first so you only apply where you fit their rules. ### Do I need a co-signer or guarantor as a first time renter? Not always. Many communities will skip the co-signer if you make 3x the rent and can cover a slightly higher deposit. We match you to the right option before you spend money on application fees. ### Can international renters without a Social Security number get approved? Yes. We work with international renters who use passports, visas, ITINs, employer offer letters, and U.S. bank statements. Services like Nova Credit can turn foreign credit history into a U.S. score, too. ### How much does it cost to move into a first time renter apartment in Texas? Plan for an application fee for each adult, any admin fee, and a security deposit that's often about one month's rent, sometimes more with a thin file. Each community sets its own amounts, and we tell you before you apply. Our service is 100% free, since the apartment community pays us. ### How long does the approval process take for first time renters? Each leasing office sets its own pace, and a complete application avoids most delays. We help you gather every document up front so nothing slows you down. ## Where we help first time renters in Texas We use the same community by community screening database for renters in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Find First Time Renter help in [Austin](/service-areas/austin/) , [Round Rock](/service-areas/round-rock/) , [Pflugerville](/service-areas/pflugerville/) , [Georgetown](/service-areas/georgetown/) , [Hutto](/service-areas/hutto/) , [Dallas](/service-areas/dallas/) , [Fort Worth](/service-areas/fort-worth/) , [Houston](/service-areas/houston/) , [San Antonio](/service-areas/san-antonio/) , [Uptown Dallas](/service-areas/uptown-dallas/) , [Oak Lawn](/service-areas/oak-lawn/) , [Turtle Creek](/service-areas/turtle-creek/) , [Las Colinas](/service-areas/las-colinas/) , [Frisco](/service-areas/frisco/) , [Plano](/service-areas/plano/) , [Victory Park](/service-areas/victory-park/) , [McKinney](/service-areas/mckinney/) , [Allen](/service-areas/allen/) , [Addison](/service-areas/addison/) , [Grapevine](/service-areas/grapevine/) , [North Fort Worth](/service-areas/north-fort-worth/) , [West 7th](/service-areas/west-7th/) , [Euless](/service-areas/euless/) , [North Dallas](/service-areas/north-dallas/) , [South Dallas](/service-areas/south-dallas/) , [Richardson](/service-areas/richardson/) , [Garland](/service-areas/garland/) , [Farmers Branch](/service-areas/farmers-branch/) , [Coppell](/service-areas/coppell/) , [Cedar Hill](/service-areas/cedar-hill/) , [DeSoto](/service-areas/desoto/) , [Duncanville](/service-areas/duncanville/) , [Lewisville](/service-areas/lewisville/) , [Flower Mound](/service-areas/flower-mound/) , [The Colony](/service-areas/the-colony/) , [Valley Ranch](/service-areas/valley-ranch/) , [Rockwall](/service-areas/rockwall/) , [Hurst](/service-areas/hurst/) , [Bedford](/service-areas/bedford/) , [North Arlington](/service-areas/north-arlington/) , [South Arlington](/service-areas/south-arlington/) , [Galleria](/service-areas/galleria-houston/) , [Midtown Houston](/service-areas/midtown-houston/) , [Medical Center](/service-areas/medical-center-houston/) , [The Woodlands](/service-areas/the-woodlands/) , [Energy Corridor](/service-areas/energy-corridor/) , [Katy](/service-areas/katy/) , [Spring](/service-areas/spring/) , [Heights](/service-areas/heights-houston/) , [Clear Lake](/service-areas/clear-lake/) , [Pearland](/service-areas/pearland/) , [The Domain](/service-areas/the-domain-austin/) , [Downtown Austin](/service-areas/downtown-austin/) , [Mueller](/service-areas/mueller-austin/) , [South Congress](/service-areas/south-congress-austin/) , [Cedar Park](/service-areas/cedar-park/) , [East Austin](/service-areas/east-austin/) , [Stone Oak](/service-areas/stone-oak/) , [The Dominion](/service-areas/the-dominion-san-antonio/) , [Pearl District](/service-areas/pearl-district/) , [Medical Center](/service-areas/medical-center-san-antonio/) , [North Central San Antonio](/service-areas/north-central-san-antonio/) , [Alamo Ranch](/service-areas/alamo-ranch/) , [Schertz](/service-areas/schertz/) , [New Braunfels](/service-areas/new-braunfels/) , [Arlington](/service-areas/arlington/) , [Irving](/service-areas/irving/) , [Denton](/service-areas/denton/) , [Grand Prairie](/service-areas/grand-prairie/) , [Mansfield](/service-areas/mansfield/) , [Carrollton](/service-areas/carrollton/) , [Sugar Land](/service-areas/sugar-land/) , [Conroe](/service-areas/conroe/) , [Cypress](/service-areas/cypress/) , [San Marcos](/service-areas/san-marcos/) , [Kyle](/service-areas/kyle/) , [Converse](/service-areas/converse/) , [Near Fort Sam Houston](/service-areas/near-fort-sam-houston/) , [Apartments Near JBSA-Lackland AFB](/service-areas/near-lackland-afb/) , [Apartments Near NAS Fort Worth JRB](/service-areas/near-nas-fort-worth-jrb/) , [Live Oak](/service-areas/live-oak/) , [Boerne](/service-areas/boerne/) , [River Oaks](/service-areas/river-oaks-houston/) , [Memorial City](/service-areas/memorial-city-houston/) , [Downtown Houston](/service-areas/downtown-houston/) , [EaDo (East Downtown)](/service-areas/eado-houston/) , [Westchase](/service-areas/westchase/) , [League City](/service-areas/league-city/) , [Friendswood](/service-areas/friendswood/) , [Tomball](/service-areas/tomball/) , [Jersey Village](/service-areas/jersey-village/) , [Richmond / Rosenberg](/service-areas/richmond-tx/) , [Missouri City](/service-areas/missouri-city/) , [Baytown](/service-areas/baytown/) , [Pasadena](/service-areas/pasadena-tx/) , [Southwest Austin / Circle C](/service-areas/southwest-austin/) , [North Austin / Arboretum](/service-areas/north-austin/) , [West Lake Hills / Lakeway](/service-areas/lakeway/) , [Leander](/service-areas/leander/) , [Manor](/service-areas/manor/) , [Alamo Heights / Terrell Hills](/service-areas/alamo-heights/) , [Westover Hills / Far West](/service-areas/westover-hills/) , [Helotes / Fair Oaks Ranch](/service-areas/helotes/) , [Universal City / Selma](/service-areas/universal-city/) , [Cibolo](/service-areas/cibolo/) , [Downtown San Antonio](/service-areas/downtown-san-antonio/) , [North Richland Hills](/service-areas/north-richland-hills/) , [Keller](/service-areas/keller/) , [Southlake](/service-areas/southlake/) , [Colleyville](/service-areas/colleyville/) , [Haltom City](/service-areas/haltom-city/) , [Saginaw](/service-areas/saginaw/) , and [Burleson](/service-areas/burleson/) . [Austin](/service-areas/austin/)[Round Rock](/service-areas/round-rock/)[Pflugerville](/service-areas/pflugerville/)[Georgetown](/service-areas/georgetown/)[Hutto](/service-areas/hutto/)[Dallas](/service-areas/dallas/)[Fort Worth](/service-areas/fort-worth/)[Houston](/service-areas/houston/)[San Antonio](/service-areas/san-antonio/)[Uptown Dallas](/service-areas/uptown-dallas/)[Oak Lawn](/service-areas/oak-lawn/)[Turtle Creek](/service-areas/turtle-creek/)[Las Colinas](/service-areas/las-colinas/)[Frisco](/service-areas/frisco/)[Plano](/service-areas/plano/)[Victory Park](/service-areas/victory-park/)[McKinney](/service-areas/mckinney/)[Allen](/service-areas/allen/)[Addison](/service-areas/addison/)[Grapevine](/service-areas/grapevine/)[North Fort Worth](/service-areas/north-fort-worth/)[West 7th](/service-areas/west-7th/)[Euless](/service-areas/euless/)[North Dallas](/service-areas/north-dallas/)[South Dallas](/service-areas/south-dallas/)[Richardson](/service-areas/richardson/)[Garland](/service-areas/garland/)[Farmers Branch](/service-areas/farmers-branch/)[Coppell](/service-areas/coppell/)[Cedar Hill](/service-areas/cedar-hill/)[DeSoto](/service-areas/desoto/)[Duncanville](/service-areas/duncanville/)[Lewisville](/service-areas/lewisville/)[Flower Mound](/service-areas/flower-mound/)[The Colony](/service-areas/the-colony/)[Valley Ranch](/service-areas/valley-ranch/)[Rockwall](/service-areas/rockwall/)[Hurst](/service-areas/hurst/)[Bedford](/service-areas/bedford/)[North Arlington](/service-areas/north-arlington/)[South Arlington](/service-areas/south-arlington/)[Galleria](/service-areas/galleria-houston/)[Midtown Houston](/service-areas/midtown-houston/)[Medical Center](/service-areas/medical-center-houston/)[The Woodlands](/service-areas/the-woodlands/)[Energy Corridor](/service-areas/energy-corridor/)[Katy](/service-areas/katy/)[Spring](/service-areas/spring/)[Heights](/service-areas/heights-houston/)[Clear Lake](/service-areas/clear-lake/)[Pearland](/service-areas/pearland/)[The Domain](/service-areas/the-domain-austin/)[Downtown Austin](/service-areas/downtown-austin/)[Mueller](/service-areas/mueller-austin/)[South Congress](/service-areas/south-congress-austin/)[Cedar Park](/service-areas/cedar-park/)[East Austin](/service-areas/east-austin/)[Stone Oak](/service-areas/stone-oak/)[The Dominion](/service-areas/the-dominion-san-antonio/)[Pearl District](/service-areas/pearl-district/)[Medical Center](/service-areas/medical-center-san-antonio/)[North Central San Antonio](/service-areas/north-central-san-antonio/)[Alamo Ranch](/service-areas/alamo-ranch/)[Schertz](/service-areas/schertz/)[New Braunfels](/service-areas/new-braunfels/)[Arlington](/service-areas/arlington/)[Irving](/service-areas/irving/)[Denton](/service-areas/denton/)[Grand Prairie](/service-areas/grand-prairie/)[Mansfield](/service-areas/mansfield/)[Carrollton](/service-areas/carrollton/)[Sugar Land](/service-areas/sugar-land/)[Conroe](/service-areas/conroe/)[Cypress](/service-areas/cypress/)[San Marcos](/service-areas/san-marcos/)[Kyle](/service-areas/kyle/)[Converse](/service-areas/converse/)[Near Fort Sam Houston](/service-areas/near-fort-sam-houston/)[Apartments Near JBSA-Lackland AFB](/service-areas/near-lackland-afb/)[Apartments Near NAS Fort Worth JRB](/service-areas/near-nas-fort-worth-jrb/)[Live Oak](/service-areas/live-oak/)[Boerne](/service-areas/boerne/)[River Oaks](/service-areas/river-oaks-houston/)[Memorial City](/service-areas/memorial-city-houston/)[Downtown Houston](/service-areas/downtown-houston/)[EaDo (East Downtown)](/service-areas/eado-houston/)[Westchase](/service-areas/westchase/)[League City](/service-areas/league-city/)[Friendswood](/service-areas/friendswood/)[Tomball](/service-areas/tomball/)[Jersey Village](/service-areas/jersey-village/)[Richmond / Rosenberg](/service-areas/richmond-tx/)[Missouri City](/service-areas/missouri-city/)[Baytown](/service-areas/baytown/)[Pasadena](/service-areas/pasadena-tx/)[Southwest Austin / Circle C](/service-areas/southwest-austin/)[North Austin / Arboretum](/service-areas/north-austin/)[West Lake Hills / Lakeway](/service-areas/lakeway/)[Leander](/service-areas/leander/)[Manor](/service-areas/manor/)[Alamo Heights / Terrell Hills](/service-areas/alamo-heights/)[Westover Hills / Far West](/service-areas/westover-hills/)[Helotes / Fair Oaks Ranch](/service-areas/helotes/)[Universal City / Selma](/service-areas/universal-city/)[Cibolo](/service-areas/cibolo/)[Downtown San Antonio](/service-areas/downtown-san-antonio/)[North Richland Hills](/service-areas/north-richland-hills/)[Keller](/service-areas/keller/)[Southlake](/service-areas/southlake/)[Colleyville](/service-areas/colleyville/)[Haltom City](/service-areas/haltom-city/)[Saginaw](/service-areas/saginaw/)[Burleson](/service-areas/burleson/) ## Guides for First Time Renters Full answers to the questions first time renters ask us most. ### [How to Get an Apartment With No Rental History in TexasNever leased before? Learn how Texas communities treat zero rental history and which deposit and guarantor options often help first timers get approved.Read the guide →](/guide/apartments-for-first-time-renters-no-rental-history-austin/) ### [Renting Without US Credit History in TexasNew to the U.S. with no credit file? Learn which Texas communities accept international applicants, what documents to use, and what deposits to expect.Read the guide →](/guide/apartments-for-new-to-the-us-renters-without-credit-file/) ### [How to Rent an Apartment With No Credit: A Texas First Timer's GuideNo credit file and renting for the first time in Texas? Follow the process step by step, find communities that weigh income over credit, and avoid mistakes.Read the guide →](/guide/renting-your-first-apartment-in-austin-with-no-credit/) ## Related services ### [Income & Alternative Verification Apartment LocatingSelf-employed, paid on a 1099 or in cash, or carrying a lot of debt? We find communities that take other proof of income.Learn more →](/income-verification-apartments/) ### [ASAP & Same Day Apartment LocatingNeed to move right away? We call ahead to find units that are ready now, book your tours, and keep after the leasing office so your application doesn't sit in a pile.Learn more →](/asap-move-in-apartments/) ### [Second Chance & Background Friendly Apartment LocatingWe match renters with evictions, broken leases, rental debt, or older criminal records to Texas communities that fit their credit, rental history and income.Learn more →](/second-chance-apartments/) ## Ready to stop losing money on apartment denials in Texas? Free, licensed, and zero judgment. Get your personalized list of Texas communities that will consider your situation. [Get My Free List](/get-my-list/) [Call (866) 782-2401](tel:+18667822401)