GUIDE
Class A, B and C Misdemeanors in Apartment Screening
Class A and Class B are misdemeanor levels under Texas law. Neither one comes with a standard approval rate at apartments. And they have nothing to do with the letter grades people use to rate apartment buildings. Class C is the lowest level, and the only punishment is a fine of up to $500. We check if a property's policy counts Class C cases at all.
What this guide covers
- What Class A, B and C mean under Texas law
- Why the final outcome counts more than the first charge
- How we check a property's misdemeanor rule for you
- Why "Class A apartments" means something else
Go by the final outcome
Write down the offense and class shown on the judgment or disposition. The original charge may differ from the final outcome, so don't call every case a misdemeanor conviction. If a case was dismissed or ended with deferred adjudication, say so.
Why the class alone can't tell you your odds
One applicant has an older Class A conviction. Another has a recent Class B case that's still pending. Those labels alone don't tell you who has better approval chances. It takes the exact offenses, outcomes and dates, checked against each property's current criteria. That's the part we do for you.
What we look at for you
We check if a property treats Class A and Class B misdemeanors differently or goes by a list of offenses. Then we look at which outcome and date it uses and if review is available. Before you decide where to apply, we tell you where your record fits.
If someone at the office says “Class A apartments,” ask what they mean. In the industry, that's a building category, not a criminal class or a screening rule. A luxury building's ads don't tell you how it looks at a misdemeanor.
For help getting documents ready, read the misdemeanor application checklist. To confirm your actual class, check the court record and Texas Penal Code Chapter 12, or ask a lawyer.
Published by the Felon Friendly Apartment Team. This is general renter information. Each property makes its own decisions, and questions about your own case belong with a lawyer or legal aid.
RELATED SERVICE
Apartments for a Misdemeanor History
We check and keep notes on Texas communities' screening rules. We check how each one treats your misdemeanor class, outcome and dates.
See how we help with this record →Common Questions
Is a Class A misdemeanor treated more strictly than Class B?
It can be, but there's no standard rule. Some policies split misdemeanors by class. Others go by a list of offenses or by dates. We check which way each property's criteria work.
Does a Class C misdemeanor count against an apartment application?
Class C is the lowest level in Texas, and the only punishment is a fine of up to $500. Some property policies don't count Class C cases at all. We check that for each community.
How do I find out my misdemeanor class?
Look at the judgment or disposition from the court that handled your case. The class should be listed there. If it's unclear, ask the court clerk or a lawyer.
Ready to Start Your Apartment Search?
Our help is free to renters. Participating communities may pay our brokerage a referral fee. Tell us what you need, and we'll check each community's criteria against your record.
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