Top Reasons You’re Getting Denied (And What You Can Do About It)
If you’ve applied for an apartment and keep hearing “application denied”, you’re not alone. In competitive rental markets like Dallas–Fort Worth, property managers follow strict screening guidelines.
Understanding why you’re being denied is the first step to fixing it. Michael Ham a licensed Realtor and apartment locator is your first plan of action.
Below are the top reasons people can’t rent an apartment, including criminal background issues, credit problems, and rental history concerns — plus what you can do next according to Apartment Deals Dallas.
1️⃣ Recent Felony Within the Past 7 Years
Many apartment communities have a 7-year felony lookback policy. This means if you have a felony conviction within the last seven years, approval may be very difficult.
Especially Problematic Felonies: (any one of these are tough)
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Domestic violence
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Theft
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Burglary
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Assault
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Crimes against a person
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Crimes against property
Most large property management companies follow corporate guidelines that automatically deny recent violent or property-related felonies.
Zero Chance Category:
If you have a conviction involving child sexual offenses (pedophilia-related charges), nearly all conventional apartment communities will deny the application immediately due to safety policies and insurance restrictions.
2️⃣ Misdemeanors (Depending on Type & Timing)
Not all misdemeanors result in denial. However, certain charges may cause issues:
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Domestic violence (even misdemeanor level)
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Theft or fraud
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Drug-related offenses
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Assault
Many properties review:
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Severity of the charge
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How long ago it occurred
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Whether it was a one-time incident
Good news! Older, non-violent misdemeanors may still be approvable at some properties. You just need to search thousands of apartments to find the very few that will work with you. Again, Michael Ham will help.
3️⃣ Poor Credit or Outstanding Rental Debt
Another major reason people get denied is financial history.
Common Credit Issues: In addition to current or prior bankruptcy.
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Broken lease
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Evictions
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Apartment debt sent to collections
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Utility collections
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Unpaid judgments
- Bankruptcy within past 7 years
In DFW, many properties require: (any of the following - automatic Denial)
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Minimum credit score (often 550–650+)
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No unpaid rental housing debt
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Income 2.5–3x the monthly rent
4️⃣ Previous Evictions or Broken Leases
Even if the eviction happened years ago, it may still show on screening reports.
Many properties will deny:
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Active eviction filings
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Money owed to previous landlords
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Broken leases without repayment
Some second-chance apartments may accept older cases — especially if debt has been paid.
You must have a licensed realtor or apartment locator that knows how to search and screen properties that are a waste of your time.
5️⃣ Insufficient Income
Most apartments require:
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Income at least 2.5–3 times the rent
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Verifiable employment
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Recent pay stubs
If you’re self-employed or gig-based, you will most likely need:
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Bank statements
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Tax returns
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Offer letter
6️⃣ Incomplete Applications or False Information -
DO NOT LIE
Automatic denial happens if:
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You fail to disclose a criminal charge
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You falsify income
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You leave out previous addresses
- Or anything you failed to disclose
Background screening companies verify everything.
What Can You Do If You’re Struggling to Get Approved?
✔️ Look for second-chance apartments
✔️ Pay off old rental debt
✔️ Request a copy of your screening report
✔️ Work with an experienced apartment locator
✔️ Be upfront about your background
Do you really want to bother with becoming an expert apartment locator? We offer our services free of charge to you. Michael Ham and apartmentdealsdallas.com
Texas-Specific Considerations
In Texas, private property owners have discretion to set screening standards as long as they comply with fair housing laws.
In competitive markets like:
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Dallas
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Fort Worth
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Arlington
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Plano
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Garland
Approval guidelines can be stricter than in smaller towns.
Final Thoughts
If you’re having trouble renting an apartment, don’t assume it’s hopeless. Many denials happen because applicants don’t know the screening rules in advance.
Understanding the top reasons you can’t rent gives you the power to apply strategically and avoid wasting application fees. Don’t Apply If You Don’t Qualify
This is where Michael Ham shines. He will be your advocate and help you rent an apartment.
