Texas Apartments That Review a DUI or DWI Record
Plan a Texas apartment search with a DUI or DWI record. We help you find housing options, and we check how each community's rules treat the offense, the disposition and the dates screening uses.
What You Get
- How a DWI shows up on a screening report
- How each community's rules treat a misdemeanor or felony DWI
- Where nondisclosure fits, with legal questions sent to legal aid
- A check of the income and rental history rules too
Go by the offense on your record
People sometimes use DUI and DWI loosely. We go by the exact offense and outcome on your disposition, especially if the case happened outside Texas. Don't assume every drinking and driving case counts as the same offense.
How DWI Records Are Graded in Texas
How Texas grades your DWI changes how a written rule treats it:
- First DWI. Usually a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes Class A with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more (Penal Code Section 49.04).
- Second DWI. A Class A misdemeanor (Section 49.09).
- Third DWI or more. A third degree felony, so felony rules apply. See felony convictions.
- DWI with a child passenger. A state jail felony when a passenger is under 15 (Section 49.045).
- DWI in a school crossing zone. A state jail felony when the lower school zone speed limit applies (Section 49.04). This covers offenses on or after September 1, 2025.
Keep three tasks separate
- Check that the report is really about you and shows the right outcome.
- Let us check how each apartment's written criteria apply.
- If you're thinking about clearing your record, ask a lawyer which law might apply to you.
A first DWI doesn't automatically qualify for nondisclosure. Our checklist for meeting a lawyer about a DWI covers what to bring. It doesn't promise you'll be eligible.
Plan the move
Tell us your metro, budget and move date. If you're still on supervision, get any permission you need for the new address before you sign a lease. The community sets rent, fees and application rules.
Read our guide to renting with a DWI to see the policy questions we check before you pay.
How We Help With a DWI Record
- We look for communities in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio whose written rules fit your DWI.
- We drop any community whose rules deny every criminal record outright.
- We point you to legal aid if you want to ask about nondisclosure.
How We Compare to Searching on Your Own
| Feature | Searching listing sites alone | Felon Friendly Apartments |
|---|---|---|
| DWI rules | Usually not in the listing | We check how each community's rule treats your DWI level and dates |
| Areas | One listing at a time | Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth |
| Cost to you | Every application fee is yours | Our help is free. Participating communities may pay our brokerage a referral fee. |
| Who decides | The community | The community |
| License | Varies | Spirit Real Estate Group, TREC license #562021 |
How It Works
Tell us the DWI level
First, second or felony DWI, plus the date and how the case ended. Add your metro, budget and move date.
We check the rules
We look at how each community's written criteria treat your DWI, plus its income and rental history rules.
You get a list to work from
Communities whose rules fit your record and budget. Think of it as a first list, not a promise of approval.
You tour and apply
Check open units, fees and lease terms with the community before paying anything. Approval is the community's call.
Why Us for This Record
We read DWI levels right
A first DWI and a felony DWI land in different parts of a written rule. We check where yours falls.
Legal questions go to legal aid
We don't give legal advice. For nondisclosure, we point you to legal aid in your county.
Free and licensed
You don't pay us. Participating communities may pay our brokerage a referral fee. We work under Spirit Real Estate Group, TREC license #562021.
Start Your Free Apartment Search
Our locating help is free. Tell us about your move, budget and record. We text you shortly after you send the form.
A few details help us focus your apartment search.
Share My DWI Details →Free locating help · No approval guarantees
Questions About This Record Type
Does a DWI show up on an apartment background check?
It can. A DWI is a criminal case, so a screening report can list it like other cases. A nondisclosure order or the Texas seven year reporting rule may limit that. See will a DWI appear on a background check.
Does a first DWI block an apartment application?
Not always. Some written rules skip a single misdemeanor. Others count any misdemeanor, or DWI by name, for a set time. We check the rule at each community.
What about a felony DWI?
A third DWI is a felony in Texas. So is a DWI with a passenger under 15. Since September 1, 2025, so is a DWI in a school crossing zone when the lower speed limit applies. Felony rules apply. See felony convictions.
Can I get a first DWI sealed in Texas?
Some first DWI cases can qualify for nondisclosure after a wait. Limits apply, like a high blood alcohol level or a crash involving another person. Ask legal aid about your case. See DWI nondisclosure in Texas.
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Guides for This Record Type
Will a DWI Appear on an Apartment Background Check?
How a DWI case shows up on a tenant report.
Read guide →
A Texas Apartment Search After a DWI: Where to Begin
Start with the disposition and your housing needs.
Read guide →
Misdemeanor or Felony DWI: Questions Before Renting
Find the actual DWI offense and outcome first.
Read guide →
Texas DWI Nondisclosure: Prepare for an Eligibility Review
Which court papers to bring to legal aid.
Read guide →
Prepare before you apply
Renter tools and budget checklist · Local Help · How our free service works
When you pick favorite communities, we send them a guest card with just your contact details and housing preferences. Communities handle rental applications and decide on approval.