What is an apartment cosigner?
A cosigner is someone, often a relative or friend, who signs your lease alongside you and agrees to be responsible for the rent if you do not pay. Landlords ask for one when an application looks risky: low income, low credit, a short work history or past rental problems.
Asking someone to cosign is a big request. They take on legal responsibility, and their own credit can be affected if payments are missed. Many people do not have anyone who can or will do it.
If you do not have a cosigner
You still have options. Some properties review your application on its own merits, weighing your income, your rental history and your explanation. Others accept a larger deposit in place of a cosigner. The difficulty is finding which ones do, without paying application fees to find out.
That is where Done Deal Cosign comes in. We work with 121+ partner properties in Houston and help you get approved based on your own situation. More than 10,000 Houstonians have been approved through us since 2014.
How it works
You tell us about your situation, and a counselor reviews your rental history and income. We recommend partner properties where you have a real chance, and you choose your apartment from those. If you are not pre-approved within 7 days, the Initial Fee is refunded.
- Fill out the form on this page or call 713-992-3000.
- Complete the qualifying forms.
- Get your pre-approval decision and choose a partner property.
What we look at
Our general guideline is two or fewer rental issues, such as evictions, broken leases or unpaid landlord balances. Credit challenges and limited income history are part of the conversation, not an automatic stop.
Costs
We charge an Initial Fee and a Lease Assurance Fee. The amounts depend on your rental history and the partner property's rates. We go over both before you commit.
Questions to ask before you apply anywhere
Whether or not you use our service, a few questions save money and stress. Ask the property whether a cosigner is required or only suggested, what the application fee is and whether it is refundable, what income level they look for, and how they treat past rental issues. Get the answers before you pay for an application. If a property will not answer plainly, that is worth noting. A counselor at 713-992-3000 can also tell you which of our partner properties handle these questions most flexibly, so you are not guessing. We would rather you apply once at the right place than five times at the wrong ones.
Frequently asked questions
What does a cosigner do?
A cosigner signs the lease with you and takes on legal responsibility for the rent if you do not pay it.
Why would a landlord ask for one?
Usually because of low credit, limited income or past rental problems that make the application look risky.
Can I get approved if I do not have a cosigner?
Often yes, at properties that review applications individually. Our partner properties are a good place to start.
How many rental issues are too many?
Our general guideline is two or fewer. Call us for an individual review if you have more.
How long does approval take?
You complete the qualifying forms first. If you are not pre-approved within 7 days, the Initial Fee is refunded.
What does it cost?
An Initial Fee and a Lease Assurance Fee, based on your rental history and the partner property's rates.
Can I speak with someone?
Yes. Call 713-992-3000 or visit 4600 Hwy 6 N #102, Houston.