Apartment Cosigner Requirements in Texas

No statewide standard

Texas does not set one set of cosigner requirements for every landlord. Each property or management company writes its own policy, and those policies can differ a lot, even between apartment communities in the same neighborhood. Always ask the leasing office for the requirements in writing.

What landlords commonly look for

Because a cosigner is meant to reduce the landlord's risk, the standards are usually higher than for the tenant. Expect some version of the following.

• Income that is a multiple of the monthly rent. Some properties ask for more from a cosigner than from the tenant.
• A credit history that meets the property's minimum standard.
• Stable employment or another verifiable source of income.
• A clean rental history, if the cosigner has rented before.
• Willingness to be screened and to sign the lease or a separate cosigner agreement.

Paperwork to expect

A cosigner is usually screened like an applicant. Be ready to provide the items below, and ask the property which they require.

• A completed application or cosigner form.
• Government-issued photo identification.
• Recent pay stubs, tax records or other proof of income.
• Permission for the property to review their credit.
• A signature on the lease or a separate cosigner agreement.

Location and other restrictions

Some properties accept a cosigner from anywhere, while others prefer one who lives in Texas or can be reached easily for signing. Ask whether signatures can be handled electronically. Also ask how many cosigners the property accepts and whether a cosigner can be added after a lease has started.

How long the commitment lasts

Ask whether the cosigner is responsible only for the original lease term or also for renewals. Leases differ. Anyone who agrees to cosign should read the full lease and understand exactly what they are taking on, including late fees and damage charges.

If you cannot meet the requirements

If no one you know can meet a property's cosigner standards, you still have choices. Some properties accept a larger deposit. Others review the full application and may approve you on the strength of your own file.

Done Deal Cosign works with 121+ partner properties in Houston. A counselor reviews your income, credit and rental history and recommends properties where you have a real chance of being approved, so you can skip the guessing. More than 10,000 Houstonians have been approved through us since 2014. If you are not pre-approved within 7 days, the Initial Fee is refunded.

Tips for meeting the requirements

Ask the property for its cosigner checklist before anyone gathers documents. Have your cosigner confirm they are comfortable with the rent amount, since income is usually measured against it. If your cosigner falls just short, ask whether a higher deposit or a second cosigner is accepted. Keep copies of everything that is submitted, and confirm in writing when the property has received it all, so a missing page does not delay your approval or cost you the unit.

Questions to ask before you apply

Ask whether a cosigner is required or only suggested, what the cosigner must earn, which documents are needed, what the application fee is and whether it is refundable. Get the answers in writing so you do not pay for an application that was never going to work.

Frequently asked questions