Important: Regardless of your rental history situation, every applicant must also qualify for income, credit, and criminal background checks.
LATE PAYMENTS
Issue: Missed or late payments on past rentals.
Solution: Some communities will work with you if you can show recent consistent payments even without a co-signer.
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NO RENTAL HISTORY
Issue: First-time renter or no prior lease.
Solution: Many apartments accept renters without prior history if you can show stable income or use a guarantor.
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BROKEN LEASES, EVICTIONS, AND RENTAL DEBTS
⚠️ Please note: All applicants must still meet income, credit, and criminal background requirements in addition to rental history.
SUMMARY
- Rental debt over $5,000: Must be paid in full or resolved through an agreed-upon settlement. Proof of payment is required.
- Rental debt under $5,000 and is more than three years old: A payment plan must be in place, and the applicant must have positive rental history after the debt occurred.
- Rental debt less than three years old: Must generally be paid in full.
- Unpaid rental debt under three years old: May be considered with a credit score above 550 if the debt does not appear on Experian or TransUnion. Otherwise must be paid off in full or resolved through an agreed-upon settlement.
- Evictions: All balances must be paid, and the eviction judgment must be removed or released from the credit report and public record.
- Court records: Contact the courthouse where the eviction was filed, provide proof of payment, and ask about the steps required to update or remove the judgment.
Rental History Policy
What if I owe less than $250 to a past landlord? ▼
I'd recommend to pay it off to improve your chances of being approved.
What if I owe more than $250 to a past landlord? ▼
Larger debts usually need to be paid off first. Some communities may require proof the balance is cleared. Some communities may require a payment plan to be set in place, and the applicant must have positive rental history after the debt occurred. Based on the market patterns I have seen:
- Rental debt over $5,000: Must generally be paid in full or resolved through an agreed-upon settlement. Proof of payment may be required.
- Rental debt under $5,000 and is more than three years old: Some communities may accept a documented payment plan when the applicant has established positive rental history afterward.
- Rental debt less than three years old: Must generally be paid in full or settled.
Can I rent with an eviction within the last 3 years? ▼
Unfortunately, no. Any eviction in the last 3 years is an automatic denial. To be approved, all balances must be paid off, and the eviction judgment must be removed or released from the credit report and public record. Contact the courthouse where the eviction was filed, provide proof of payment, and ask about the steps required to update or remove the judgment.
What if I’ve had more than one eviction filing? ▼
Two or more eviction filings in the last 3 years will result in denial, even if they didn’t move forward.
What if my eviction is more than 3 years old? ▼
Evictions older than 3 years are not automatically disqualifying at some communities. The owed balance must be paid off with proof of payment. The applicant must have positive rental history after the debt occurred.
My rental debt does not show on all 3 credit bureaus — can I still be approved? ▼
Yes! While many apartments check all three credit bureaus, some only pull from one, often Transunion or Experian.
If your rental debt doesn’t appear on the bureau they use, this could be the key to getting approved even if the balance is over $250 or within the last 5 years. In this case, your Transunion and/or Experian credit scores must be over 550.
Rental criteria vary by apartment community and may change without notice. Meeting these general guidelines does not guarantee approval. I review each client’s situation and help identify communities whose current requirements may be a better match.
Apartment Price Ranges in Austin & Surrounding Areas
(North: Pflugerville, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander | South: Austin)
| Bedrooms | North | South |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1 | from $850 | from $950 |
| 2/2 | from $1,100 | from $1,200 |
| 3/2 | from $1,800 | from $2,200 |
Note: Prices may vary during peak rental season due to limited availability.
Pricing reflects typical starting rates for apartments in the Austin area, including nearby cities such as Pflugerville, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Leander. Rates may vary by community, apartment features (washer and dryer hookups, appliances, wood flooring, yard, attached garage, etc.), location within the city (East vs. West), and the year the property was built. Prices are often higher during peak rental season due to limited availability.
Ready to Find an Apartment That Works With You?
Whether you are dealing with bad credit, bankruptcy, foreclosure, no rental history, no credit, or you just need to move fast — I am here to help you get approved, not judged. Let’s make your next move simple, stress-free, and completely free to you.
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