Having Difficulty Renting an Apartment? What You Can Do About It.

Michael Ham
2026-02-25T17:35:15-06:00

If you’re having trouble renting an apartment in DFW, don’t assume it’s hopeless. Many denials happen because applicants don’t know the screening rules in advance. Or they are naive or unrealistic in their expectations. This will be a hurdel we can help you get past - do not expect to be picky or have much choice. But once you get past this and rent for a year, a Word of Opportunities will open.

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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)

Domestic violence

Theft

Burglary

Assault

Crimes against a person

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:

Domestic violence (even misdemeanor level)

Theft or fraud

Drug-related offenses

Assault

Many properties review:

Severity of the charge

How long ago it occurred

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.

Broken lease

Evictions

Apartment debt sent to collections

Utility collections

Unpaid judgments

Bankruptcy within past 7 years

In DFW, many properties require: (any of the following - automatic Denial)

Minimum credit score (often 550–650+)

No unpaid rental housing debt

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:

Active eviction filings

Money owed to previous landlords

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:

Income at least 2.5–3 times the rent

Verifiable employment

Recent pay stubs

If you’re self-employed or gig-based, you will most likely need:

Bank statements

Tax returns

Offer letter

6️⃣ Incomplete Applications or False Information -

DO NOT LIE

Automatic denial happens if:

You fail to disclose a criminal charge

You falsify income

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:

Dallas

Fort Worth

Arlington

Plano

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.

© 2026 ApartmentDealsDallas.com. All Rights Reserved. Michael Ham, Texas Real Estate Licensee No. 842339-SA Sponsored by Texas Homelink, Inc. Texas Real Estate Commission License No. 514865-B This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to lease or rent property. All listings and availability are subject to change.