Bad Credit? Get Approved for a Houston Apartment

Can you rent an apartment with bad credit?

Yes. Many people search for apartments that accept bad credit because they have been denied somewhere else, and it is a common situation. Credit scores reflect past medical bills, loans, cards and collections, and they say little about whether you will pay rent on time going forward.

Apartment communities set their own standards. Some will not look at an application below a certain score. Others weigh your income, your rental history and your explanation. We focus on the second kind.

How Done Deal Cosign helps

Since 2014 we have helped more than 10,000 Houstonians get approved. We work with 121+ partner properties, and our counselors know which ones are open to applicants with credit trouble. You tell us about your situation, we review it, and we point you to partner properties where you have a real chance.

You choose your apartment from those partners. If you are not pre-approved within 7 days, the Initial Fee is refunded.

• Share your situation using the form on this page or by phone.
• Complete the qualifying forms so we can review your history.
• Receive your pre-approval decision and choose a partner property.

What matters besides your score

Properties that work with lower scores usually care most about your rental history and your ability to pay. Our general guideline is two or fewer rental issues, such as an eviction, a broken lease or an unpaid landlord balance. Credit problems alone, without those items, are often easier to work through.

Stable income helps too. Be ready to talk about where your income comes from and roughly how much you earn each month.

Costs

There is an Initial Fee and a Lease Assurance Fee. The amounts depend on your rental history and the partner property's rates, and your counselor will explain them up front. Our payment options page covers how each one works.

Tips for applying with bad credit

Be upfront. Properties respond better to a clear explanation than to a surprise. Gather recent pay stubs or other proof of income. Avoid submitting many applications at once on your own, since each one can come with a fee and a denial can add stress. And call a counselor before you apply anywhere: 713-992-3000.

What counselors hear most often

Many callers say the same thing: their credit took a hit from medical bills, a divorce, a job loss or a stretch of bad luck, and they have been paying rent on time ever since. Others have collections they did not know about. Counselors have heard all of it, so you do not need to feel embarrassed. Explaining the cause and showing steady income now is often more persuasive than the score itself. That is why we ask questions instead of only running numbers, and why we match you with partner properties instead of sending you out to apply on your own.

Frequently asked questions