Apartments That Accept Misdemeanors Across Texas
Searching for apartments that accept misdemeanors? Tell our Texas locating team about your move, budget and record. We check how each community's written criteria treat your offense and how the case ended. Then we send you a list of communities to look at.
What You Get
- How Class A, B and C misdemeanors read in each community's written rules
- Which communities count misdemeanors at all, and for how long
- A check of the income, rental history and credit rules that apply
- Help getting the right papers together before you pay a fee
A misdemeanor is a category, not a yes or no
An old conviction, an open deferred case and a dismissed charge aren't the same thing. We start with how your case ended, then check how communities in our five metros weigh that outcome with the rest of your application.
How Texas Apartments Screen Misdemeanor Records
Some written criteria count only felonies. Others count misdemeanors too, and they differ on a few points:
- The offense class. Texas sorts misdemeanors into Class A, B and C. Some rules name one class and skip the others.
- The type of offense. A rule may name certain offenses, like assault, theft or drug cases, at any level.
- The age of the case. Some rules count back a set number of years. We find out what event starts the clock.
- One rule or many. Some management companies use the same rule at every property they run. Others let each property decide.
Don't count on the age of the case alone
There's no single date when every misdemeanor stops mattering to apartments. We look at each policy to see if it names specific offenses, uses a time window or offers individual review. If it counts back a set number of years, we ask which date it counts from.
Get the rest of your application ready
- Gather pay stubs or an offer letter. We check which income papers each property takes.
- Get your rental history and credit in order. Communities check those separately from your record.
- Ask about the application fee and deposit terms.
- Write down what the leasing staff tells you.
- Keep a copy of your disposition and proof you finished any fines, classes or supervision.
- Check your own screening files before you apply. See how to check your own background.
See questions about misdemeanor screening and the preparation checklist. Review and approval are up to each community.
Class A, B and C Misdemeanors in Texas
- Class A. The most serious level. It can mean up to a year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000 (Penal Code Section 12.21).
- Class B. Up to 180 days in county jail and a fine up to $2,000 (Section 12.22). A first DWI is usually Class B.
- Class C. A fine of up to $500 with no jail time (Section 12.23).
Offense class isn't the same thing as an apartment building's class. See Class A, B and C misdemeanors in screening.
How We Compare to Searching on Your Own
| Feature | Searching on your own | With our team |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor rules | Usually not in the listing | We track which communities count misdemeanors and for how long |
| Offense class | You read each rule yourself | We check how each rule treats your class and offense |
| Income rules | You read each notice yourself | We track income rules too |
| Cost to you | Each application fee is yours | Our help is free. The community sets its own fees |
| Who decides | The community | The community. A list isn't a promise of approval |
How It Works
Share the class and the date
Tell us the offense, its class and how the case ended. Add the date, your metro, budget and move date.
We check the written rules
We compare your record with each community's misdemeanor rule and your pay with its income rule.
You get a list to work from
Communities whose criteria fit your record and budget. A list is a place to start, not a promise of approval.
You tour and apply
Confirm open units, fees and lease terms with the community before you pay. The community decides.
Why Us for This Record
We track misdemeanor rules
Our notes cover which communities count misdemeanors, which classes they name and how far back they look.
Fewer wasted fees
A misdemeanor often comes down to one line in a written rule. We find that line before you pay to apply.
Free and licensed
You don't pay us. Participating communities may pay our sponsoring 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 Misdemeanor →Free locating help · No approval guarantees
Questions About This Record Type
Do apartments care about misdemeanors?
Some written rules skip misdemeanors. Others count certain offenses or classes for a set number of years. We check each community's rule against your class, offense and dates.
What's the difference between Class A, B and C misdemeanors?
In Texas, Class A carries up to a year in jail and Class B up to 180 days. Class C is a fine only (Penal Code Sections 12.21 to 12.23). Some apartment rules name a class, and some name the offense.
Will a public intoxication or disorderly conduct charge block me?
Both are usually Class C offenses in Texas. Some written rules skip Class C cases and some don't. We check the rule at each community before you apply.
How long does a misdemeanor stay on a screening report?
Texas law usually keeps a screening company from reporting a conviction after seven years. The clock runs from the disposition, release or parole date (Business and Commerce Code Section 20.05). Court records can still show it. See lookback periods explained.
FREE GUIDES
Guides for This Record Type
When Does an Old Misdemeanor Stop Affecting a Rental?
How a cutoff works and what starts the clock.
Read guide →
Checking an Apartment's Misdemeanor Screening Rules
What we clear up in a misdemeanor rule before you pay.
Read guide →
Misdemeanor vs. Felony: How Apartment Policies Differ
How written rules split misdemeanors from felonies.
Read guide →
Apartment Lookback Periods: Which Date Actually Counts?
How a screening window differs from the legal limits on reporting.
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.