How old do you have to be to rent an apartment in Texas? Here, you must be 18 years old to enter a rental contract–with a few exceptions. In this article, we’ll explain what exactly that means more in-depth. Let’s get started!
Main Takeaways
- To answer, “how old do you have to be to rent an apartment,” in Texas, you must be 18+ in most circumstances. However, there are a few exceptions to how old you have to be to rent an apartment, such as when you’re an emancipated minor.
Table of Contents
- How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent an Apartment?
- Can a 16- or 17-Year-Old Legally Rent an Apartment?
- What Do Landlords Look for When Renting to Tenants?
How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent an Apartment?
As experienced Austin property managers, we’ll tell you that for how old you have to be to rent an apartment in Texas, you generally must be at least 18 years old (with few exceptions).
In Texas, most rental agreements fall under Texas Property Code, Chapter 92. While the law doesn’t set a minimum rental age, it does state that leases are legally binding contracts. Since minors lack the legal capacity to enter such contracts, they generally can’t rent an apartment themselves. And even if they did sign these contracts, they would be legally unenforceable.
That said, the answer of how old you have to be to get an apartment doesn’t quite end there. In actuality, there are other (rarer) ways someone under 18 can secure one, which we’ll get into below.
Can a 16- or 17-Year-Old Legally Rent an Apartment?
In a few circumstances, yes, there are exceptions to the question of, “how old do you have to be to rent an apartment?” While you should consult an attorney for their professional opinion, two examples of how a 16- or 17-year-old could rent one are:
Emancipation
If a minor is legally emancipated, they can sign a lease on their own. Texas Family Code § 31.001 explains that emancipated minors have the same legal rights as adults, including the ability to sign legal contracts.
To qualify for emancipation in Texas, a minor must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Consistently handle their financial costs while living by themselves
- Present evidence to demonstrate why emancipation benefits their interests to an adjudicating court.
- After obtaining emancipation status teens get the ability to secure an apartment lease without requiring a co-signer. The process of obtaining emancipation remains a difficult challenge since judges need to authorize it.
However, getting emancipated essentially means your parent or guardian loses their rights as a guardian. It is a serious decision with wide-reaching consequences, and it requires an exhaustive legal process. Needless to say, it’s not exactly an easy, quick solution to getting an apartment. So, unless this seems like a truly viable option, the answer to, “how old do you have to be to rent an apartment,” is still likely 18.
Special Housing Programs
Some special housing programs and student housing facilities will permit minors to rent under special circumstances. This is more common for teens who are working, in school, or in foster care transition programs.
Overall, without emancipation or another special circumstance, most 16 or 17-year-olds will have trouble renting an apartment on their own.
What Do Landlords Look for When Renting to Tenants?
If you are eligible for entering a rental contract, your next step is meeting your landlord’s qualifications for tenants. Some of the most common criteria are:
Proof of Income
A landlord’s most basic concern is whether you can afford the monthly payment or not. As a rule of thumb, most landlords want to be sure that your monthly income is triple the rent per month. This way, if any unexpected life events happen, you’ll still have wiggle room to pay the rent. So, you should be ready to show your pay stubs, bank statements, or other proof of income to landlords. Or, if you have little income of your own, you might need to take on a co-signer, which we’ll get into later.
Credit and Rental History
The majority of landlords review applicants’ credit histories to verify whether tenants paid their bills timely in the past. Furthermore, they usually look at people’s rental histories to see if applicants have shown themselves to be responsible, orderly, rule-abiding tenants. If you have an undeveloped or poor history in these arenas, there are a few ways you could compensate, like:
- Advance payments: You could pay a set number of months’ rent in advance.
- Show other bills you pay on time: Some landlords might consider your timely payment of phone bills, utilities, or loan payments when they view your financial track record.
- Offer a higher security deposit: In offering a higher security deposit, you can show the landlords that you’re willing to take financial responsibility for any issues that might arise during your tenancy.
- Provide employer references: References from your employers could demonstrate that you’re reliable.
Background Check
Many landlords run background checks to search for your criminal and eviction history. If you have either of these, you should demonstrate how you have grown and changed since the inciting incident(s) on your records. In addition, you should also be ready to provide some of the supporting materials, like references, we discussed above.
Ability to Follow Lease Rules
It goes without saying that landlords want tenants who respect the property and follow their lease terms. So, you should show that you are ready to fit that description. Some ways to do this are:
- Staying professional and polite when you talk to your landlord: Always be calm and cordial when you interact with your landlord. Your treatment of them reflects how you’ll treat your neighbors–and the property.
- Read the lease carefully before signing: Always read your lease’s terms and conditions before committing to it. You don’t want to find yourself caught up in obligations you can’t reasonably meet.
- Ask about lease terms (e.g., guest policies, quiet hours): If you have any questions or anything seems unclear, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s better to iron out any misunderstandings now than to accidentally be a rule-breaker later.
Co-Signer
If you struggle with income, have a low credit score, or have never rented before, your landlord might require you to have a co-signer. By including a co-signer to your lease, you can have a back-up person who handles rent payments if you’re ever unable to. This way, landlords can be confident that they’ll consistently get the rent, no matter what “what-ifs” happen.
Co-signers usually need:
- A strong credit score (typically 650+)
- Stable income (3x the rent or more)
- A history of paying bills on time
How Old You Have to Be to Rent an Apartment, Summarized
So, how old do you have to be to get an apartment? You usually have to be 18 or older to rent one. Of course, there are some exceptions, like if you’re an emancipated minor. However, at the end of the day, you should always consult a legal professional for their final say on the matter.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for your first apartment, Bay Property Management Group is here to help. Our professionals can help you find the perfect rental. What’s more, we can work together to draft a lease agreement that works for you and your needs. Beyond that, we can handle maintenance, repairs, protecting your rights as a tenant, and more. Want to get started? Check out our listings or contact us today!