Apartments that Accept Bad Credit in San Antonio

Why Most “Bad Credit Apartment” Advice Doesn’t Work

A credit score alone doesn’t decide whether a San Antonio renter gets approved or denied. The property class does. A 560 credit score gets auto-declined at a luxury community in The Rim but approved the same afternoon at a Class B property off Bandera Road. That distinction, which buildings screen at what thresholds, is the piece every generic “how to rent with bad credit” article skips.

And that gap costs people real money. Renters burn through $50–$150 in non-refundable application fees at communities that were never going to approve them. The phrase “case-by-case basis” on a property’s website usually means “we don’t want to tell you no before you pay the app fee.”

I’m Marlene Quade with San Antonio Apartment Locators. I work with San Antonio families navigating credit challenges, broken leases, and background issues every week. I can’t fix a credit score, but I can tell you exactly which communities will work with yours and which ones are wasting your time.

This page breaks down the real screening criteria San Antonio apartment communities use, organized by credit tier and property class. It includes actual score thresholds, income multiples, deposit ranges, geographic options, and a clear explanation of the third-party guarantee process that opens doors when credit alone can’t.

What “Bad Credit” Actually Means to a San Antonio Leasing Office

The term “bad credit” is misleading because it lumps together situations that apartment screening systems treat very differently.

When a renter applies for an apartment in San Antonio, the leasing office pulls three separate reports, and each one affects the decision on its own:

Credit report (TransUnion or Equifax): This is the FICO score and credit history. It shows credit card balances, collections, bankruptcies, and payment patterns. Most communities use a single bureau, not all three.

Rental history report (LexisNexis): This is separate from the credit report. It shows prior addresses, broken leases, eviction filings, eviction judgments, and property debt owed to previous landlords. A renter can have a 700 credit score and still get declined if an eviction judgment shows on their rental history.

Criminal background check: This covers felony and misdemeanor convictions, pending charges, and sex offender registry status. It operates on lookback periods that vary by property class. Under Texas Property Code § 92.3515, landlords must disclose their screening criteria in writing before collecting an application fee.

The critical point: a “bad credit score” and “bad rental history” are different problems with different solutions. A 550 credit score with clean rental history has far more options than a 650 score with an eviction judgment on file.

San Antonio’s market also screens differently than other Texas metros. The same property class in San Antonio typically approves credit scores 20–30 points lower than an equivalent property in Austin. A Class B community in Austin might require a 620 minimum; a similar Class B in San Antonio often approves at 590–600. This is partly market dynamics. San Antonio has lower rents, a more value-focused renter base, and less competition from high-income tech workers pushing screening thresholds upward.

Real Screening Requirements by Credit Score Range

Generic apartment sites define “bad credit” as anything below 580 or 620, then stop there. That’s not useful. What matters is how each score range maps to actual property access in San Antonio: which communities will approve, what deposit to expect, and whether a third-party guarantee is needed.

Credit Score to Property Access in San Antonio

Screening criteria vary by community and change over time. The thresholds listed here reflect general patterns — verify current requirements directly with any property before applying.

The numbers above reveal something most apartment sites don’t say directly: even renters below 500 credit have options. Those options are limited (roughly 8% of the San Antonio market) but they exist. And at the other end, a 600 score opens roughly 90% of the market, which is far from the doom-and-gloom picture most “bad credit apartment” articles paint.

How Property Class Determines Screening Strictness

The age and quality tier of a building predicts its screening criteria more reliably than any other single factor. Newer buildings charge higher rent and screen harder. Older buildings have lower rent and more flexibility.

One thing that catches renters off guard: Second-Chance properties don’t have the lowest rent. They often charge market rate or higher because they accept higher-risk applicants. The tradeoff is approval access, not a discount. A renter with clean history and a 650 score will almost always get a better deal at a Class B property than at a Second-Chance community.

The income column matters just as much as credit. A renter with a 560 credit score and $4,000/month gross income has a realistic path to approval at Class B and C properties where the rent runs $1,000–$1,300. That same renter trying to rent a $1,800 Class A unit doesn’t hit the 3x income threshold and will get declined regardless of any other factor.

The Specific Issues That Affect Approval

Credit score is one variable. When it’s combined with rental history problems or a criminal background, the math changes. Each combination narrows the pool differently.

Bad Credit With No Other Issues

This is the most straightforward scenario. The credit score is low, but rental history is clean (no evictions, no broken leases, no property debt) and background check is clear.

Renters in this situation have more options than they usually realize. A 570 score with clean rental history and verifiable income at 3x rent can access roughly 65% of San Antonio’s apartment market, primarily Class B, Class C, and Second-Chance communities. Deposits will be higher ($600–$1,000 range), and luxury properties are off the table, but there’s real inventory across most parts of the city.

At 550–569, options tighten to about 35% of the market, and a third-party guarantee may be required depending on the management company. Below 550, expect a guarantee to be mandatory and deposits to equal one month’s rent.

The key compensating factor here is income. Strong income (3x rent or higher) partially offsets a low score because it proves the ability to pay. Some Class B communities in San Antonio will approve a 560 score if income hits 3.5x rent and the rental history is spotless.

Bad Credit Combined With a Broken Lease

A broken lease on a rental history report changes the equation because it signals risk to leasing offices beyond what a credit score shows.

How much it limits options depends on age:

• Under 2 years old: Very limited access. About 10–15% of the market. Second-Chance properties are the primary option, and a third-party guarantee is usually required. Expect deposits of $800–$1,500.
• 2–5 years old: Moderate access. Around 40–50% of the market. Many communities review this on an individual basis. Mitigating factors like job relocation, military orders, or a medical emergency help. Class B and Second-Chance properties are most accessible.
• 5–7 years old: Good access. Roughly 70–80% of the market. Most communities are flexible if current credit and income are solid.
• 7+ years old: Minimal impact. Treated similarly to clean history at 95%+ of properties.

If the broken lease created property debt (money still owed to the previous landlord), that changes everything. Property debt on a LexisNexis report triggers automatic decline at 99%+ of communities. The only path forward is a third-party guarantee, regardless of credit score.

Multiple broken leases compound the problem. Two broken leases double the effective lookback period. Three or more mean Second-Chance properties only, no matter how old they are.

Bad Credit Combined With an Eviction

Eviction is the single most restrictive item on a rental history report. But not all evictions carry the same weight. (For a detailed breakdown of eviction-specific screening, see Eviction Friendly Apartments in San Antonio.)

Eviction filing (case filed but not completed): This shows on the background check and creates a 3–5 year lookback at most communities. If the case was dismissed or settled, that documentation helps significantly. Impact is moderate with proof of resolution.

Eviction judgment (landlord won in court): This shows on both background and rental history. It almost always creates property debt. Access drops to 5–10% of the market, and a third-party guarantee is required in 95%+ of cases. Lookback is 5–7 years minimum, 10+ years at stricter communities.

Eviction satisfied (judgment paid in full): Better than an unpaid judgment but still limiting. Access is roughly 20–30% of the market (Second-Chance and some Class B). A third-party guarantee may still be needed.

When bad credit combines with a recent eviction, options narrow sharply. A 570 score with a 3-year-old eviction judgment typically means 3–5 community options in San Antonio. A third-party guarantee is mandatory, and deposits will equal one month’s rent.

Bad Credit Combined With a Felony

Felony approval depends on three variables working together: how long ago the conviction occurred, what the credit score is, and what the income looks like. The type of crime modifies the baseline. (For more on felony-specific screening in San Antonio, see Felony Friendly Apartments in San Antonio.)

General lookback periods by property class in San Antonio:

• Class A: 7–10 years
• Class B: 5–7 years
• Class C: 3–5 years
• Second-Chance: 2–5 years (some accept under 2 years with strong compensating factors)

Crime type matters. Motor vehicle offenses, financial crimes, and possession charges are more manageable, with standard lookback periods. Violent crimes, sex offenses, property crimes against housing (arson, burglary), and manufacturing/distribution charges add 2–5 years to the baseline.

When bad credit stacks on top of a felony, the math gets tight. A 580 score with a 5-year-old non-violent felony and 3x income can access Class B and C properties, maybe 40% of the San Antonio market. Drop that score to 540 with the same felony, and options shrink to Second-Chance only. Add a recent eviction, and it may be 1–2 communities.

Multiple felonies limit options to Second-Chance properties regardless of recency. Each additional conviction effectively extends the lookback period by 1–2 years.

Bad Credit Combined With Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy has a counterintuitive wrinkle: many communities view a discharged Chapter 7 bankruptcy more favorably than active collections.

Chapter 7 (discharged): If the discharge is 2–3+ years old and the credit score has rebuilt to 600+, market access is good, roughly 70–80% of properties. The “fresh start” narrative works in the applicant’s favor. And there’s a critical detail: if rental debt was included in the bankruptcy discharge, it no longer shows as property debt. This is the only way to clear property debt from a rental history without paying it in full. Discharge paperwork proving the rental debt was included must be provided with the application.

Chapter 13 (active payment plan): Market access is moderate, about 50–60%. Many communities require proof of 12+ months of on-time payments to the trustee. Deposits are typically higher ($500–$1,000). Some management companies decline any active Chapter 13.

How the Approval Process Works When Credit Is Low

The Third-Party Guarantee Option

A third-party guarantee is the single most important tool for renters with bad credit in San Antonio. It’s also the one that competitors almost never explain.

A third-party guarantee is a corporate insurance product, not a co-signer. A co-signer is an individual (a family member, a friend) who signs the lease and becomes personally liable. A third-party guarantee is a company that underwrites the risk and issues a guarantee certificate to the apartment community. The renter remains the only person on the lease.

How it works:

1. The renter pays a fee to the guarantee company (typically one month’s rent — $1,000–$1,500 for most San Antonio apartments)
2. The guarantee company reviews the renter’s credit, income, and rental history
3. The company issues a guarantee certificate to the apartment community
4. The community accepts the certificate as an offset to whatever screening gap exists (low credit, property debt, eviction)
5. The renter signs the lease as the primary tenant

Payment options: The fee can be paid as a lump sum at lease signing or split 50/50: half upfront, half spread over 5–6 months added to monthly rent.

Income reduction: Using a third-party guarantee drops the income requirement from 3x to 2.5x rent at most properties. A $1,300/month apartment that normally requires $3,900 gross monthly income drops to $3,250 with a guarantee in place.

Which property classes accept them:

The guarantee fee is non-refundable and applies per lease term. If the renter renews for a second year, a new guarantee fee may be required. It’s a real cost, but for renters who would otherwise be unable to sign a lease anywhere, it’s the difference between housing and no housing.

Step-by-Step Timeline

The timeline from first contact to signed lease depends on how complex the approval profile is.

Urgent search (3–5 days): This works when the credit score is the only issue, with no evictions, no felonies, no property debt. With a clean background and verifiable income, the process is: tour 2–3 pre-screened properties → apply same day → approval within 24–48 hours → lease signed within 72 hours. Compromise is high: the renter takes what’s available, not necessarily what’s ideal.

Standard search (1–2 weeks): For moderate credit issues (570–620 range) with otherwise clean history. Tour 5–7 properties over several days, apply to top choices, wait 48–72 hours for approval. Enough time to compare options and negotiate.

Complex search (2–3 weeks): For combined issues: low credit plus eviction, felony, or property debt requiring a third-party guarantee. The guarantee underwriting adds 3–5 business days. Properties must be pre-screened by phone to confirm they accept guarantees and will review the specific profile. Expect to tour 4–6 confirmed-flexible properties, apply with the guarantee pre-arranged, and allow extra review time.

Documents to have ready before starting:

• Last 2–3 paystubs (within 60 days)
• Photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
• Social Security number
• Previous landlord contact information (last 2–3 landlords)
• Employer contact info (HR phone number)
• Eviction dismissal or satisfaction paperwork (if applicable)
• Bankruptcy discharge paperwork (if applicable)
• Explanation letter describing circumstances and any mitigating factors

Self-employed applicants should bring the last 2 years of tax returns and 3–6 months of bank statements. SSI or disability recipients need a current award letter and 3 months of bank statements showing deposits.

Where to Look in San Antonio — Areas With the Most Options

San Antonio covers over 500 square miles. Screening flexibility isn’t evenly distributed. Some corridors have heavy concentrations of Class B, Class C, and Second-Chance inventory, while others are dominated by newer Class A construction with stricter criteria.

Screening criteria vary by community and change over time. Verify current requirements directly with any property before applying.

A few patterns worth noting:

Northwest / Bandera Road corridor has the deepest inventory of Class B and C properties in San Antonio. Much of the apartment construction along Bandera Road, Huebner Road, and the Eckhert/Culebra area dates from the 1980s through early 2000s. These properties screen at lower thresholds simply because of their age and market position. Renters with credit below 600 tend to find the widest selection in this corridor. The area also sits within a 10–15 minute drive of UTSA’s main campus and the medical employers clustered around Babcock Road, which keeps occupancy steady and concessions competitive. VIA bus routes run along Bandera Road, though service frequency thins out west of Loop 1604.

I-10 West / Medical Center is one of San Antonio’s strongest employment corridors. UT Health San Antonio, USAA’s headquarters, and H-E-B’s corporate campus are all within a short drive. The apartment stock here spans the full range: newer Class A construction near The Rim and La Cantera, older Class B and C inventory closer to Fredericksburg Road and Callaghan. Renters with moderate credit issues (570–620 range) often find their best balance of screening flexibility, rent cost, and location in this corridor. One-bedroom rents here typically run $1,000–$1,400, and properties with concessions of 4–8 weeks free are common during off-peak months.

Southeast / Brooks carries some of the lowest rents in the city. The Brooks redevelopment has added newer mixed-use construction, but the broader 78223 and 78235 zip codes are still dominated by 1970s–1990s apartment stock. That older inventory means Class C and Second-Chance properties are concentrated here, with credit minimums often in the 550–580 range. The tradeoff: deferred maintenance is more common at 40+ year-old properties, so renters should inspect units carefully before signing. I-37 provides relatively quick access to downtown, though public transit options are limited in the southern portions.

Northeast / Perrin Beitel serves the Fort Sam Houston corridor and the growing tech presence around the former Rackspace campus. Apartment inventory along Nacogdoches Road and Perrin Beitel Road is heavily Class B and C, with one-bedroom rents in the $900–$1,300 range. This corridor tends to attract renters working at JBSA–Fort Sam Houston or in the healthcare sector along Walzem Road. Screening flexibility is moderate — many properties here approve in the 580–620 credit range.

Downtown / Near West Side is a split market. Downtown proper (78205, parts of 78204) has seen significant new Class A construction over the past decade. These properties screen at 650+ and aren’t useful for bad-credit renters. But moving west into the 78201 and 78207 zip codes, the inventory shifts to older Class C properties with lower rent and more flexible screening. The VIA transit hub downtown provides the best public transit connectivity in the city, which matters for renters without reliable vehicles.

Far Northwest / Alamo Ranch is growing fast with newer construction along Potranco Road and the 1604/151 interchange. Most of the apartment inventory here is Class A or newer Class B — higher rents ($1,100–$1,500 for 1BR) and stricter screening (620+ credit typical). Renters below 620 will find fewer options in this corridor unless they qualify for a third-party guarantee. Lackland AFB is 15–20 minutes south, and several properties in this area actively market to military renters.

Surrounding areas like Converse, Live Oak, Windcrest, Universal City, and Schertz sit along the I-35 corridor northeast of San Antonio and offer another pocket of Class B and C inventory. These suburbs benefit from proximity to JBSA–Randolph and JBSA–Fort Sam Houston. Apartment stock here tends to be 1990s–2010s construction with one-bedroom rents in the $900–$1,300 range. Screening flexibility is moderate. Converse and Live Oak in particular have seen steady apartment development, and several communities accept third-party guarantees.

Renters with military ties to JBSA (Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, Randolph) should know that many San Antonio properties understand PCS timelines and deployment-related gaps in rental history. BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is accepted as income verification at most communities. Properties within 10–15 minutes of base installations are particularly familiar with these situations.

What Rent Actually Costs — Beyond the Advertised Price

The rent listed on a property’s website is almost never the full monthly cost. Mandatory fees add $75–$150 per month at most San Antonio communities, and renters with lower credit scores face higher deposits on top of that.

True Monthly Cost Example

Add pet rent ($25–$75/month per pet) and covered parking ($50–$100/month) if applicable, and the gap between advertised and actual cost grows to 10–15%.

Move-In Cost Example (Moderate Credit — 580 Score)

For renters with credit below 550, the security deposit alone could be one full month’s rent ($1,200 in this example), pushing total move-in costs above $3,300.

Net Effective Rent — The Number That Actually Matters

San Antonio communities frequently offer concessions (“X weeks free” or “X months free”), especially during off-peak leasing season (December through February). These concessions reduce the true annual cost, but they apply to Year 1 only. Renewal rent returns to the full advertised rate or higher.

Worked example:

• Advertised rent: $1,200/month
• Concession: 6 weeks free on a 12-month lease
• Calculation: ($1,200 × 12 – $1,800) ÷ 12 = $1,050 net effective rent
• Savings: $150/month for the first year

That’s $1,800 in real savings — but only if the renter understands to ask about concessions and negotiate timing. Off-peak moves (December–February) typically offer the largest specials. Summer moves (May–August) offer the least.

San Antonio rents run 15–20% lower than Austin for comparable properties, and the military presence in San Antonio means BAH rates help anchor rent levels near JBSA installations.

How to Apply Without Burning Through Application Fees

Application fees in San Antonio run $50–$150 per adult applicant and are non-refundable by law. For a couple applying together, that’s $100–$300 gone if the property declines. Renters with credit issues who apply to the wrong properties can waste $500+ before they land an approval. (For a full overview of tenant rights in Texas, see the Texas Attorney General’s Renter’s Rights page and the Tenants’ Rights Handbook from TexasLawHelp.org.)

Ask Before You Apply

The simplest way to avoid wasted fees: call the leasing office and ask three questions before submitting anything.

1. “What’s your minimum credit score for approval?” — If the answer is 650 and the renter has a 570, that’s a $75 fee saved.
2. “Do you accept third-party guarantees?” — If the renter needs one and the property doesn’t accept them, there’s no point applying.
3. “What’s your lookback period for [broken leases / evictions / felonies]?” — If the renter’s issue is 3 years old and the property requires 7+ years clean, the answer is clear.

Not every leasing office will answer these questions over the phone. Some management companies train staff to push applicants toward paying the fee first. But most will at least share credit minimums if asked directly.

Timing the Search

San Antonio communities know which units will be available up to 60 days out because Texas law requires tenants to give 60 days’ notice before vacating. This creates a rolling availability window.

45–60 days before target move date: Full inventory visibility. Enough time to tour, compare, and negotiate. Best position for finding the right fit.

30–45 days out: Good selection. Moderate time pressure. Some units already leased, but solid options remain.

15–30 days out: Limited inventory. Higher pressure. May need to compromise on unit type, area, or amenities.

Under 15 days: Emergency scenario. “Whatever’s available” applies. Very limited negotiating leverage.

The exception: new construction properties in lease-up phase and recently vacated units (broken leases, unexpected move-outs) can appear at any time with immediate availability.

Seasonal Timing Matters

San Antonio’s leasing market follows a seasonal pattern that directly affects both concession size and screening flexibility.

Off-peak (December–February): Largest concessions — 6–12 weeks free is common at properties running high vacancy. Management teams are more willing to work with borderline applications during slow months. This is the best time for renters with credit challenges to apply.

Shoulder season (March–April, September–November): Moderate concessions. Solid inventory.

Peak season (May–August): Smallest concessions. Highest demand. Properties fill quickly and screening strictness tightens because management teams can be selective.

The savings from off-peak timing are real. A winter lease on the same apartment that lists for $1,200 in July might come with 6 weeks free — saving $1,800 over the first year.

Application Fee Reimbursement

San Antonio Apartment Locators rebates the application fee upon lease signing if the renter lists the locator as the referring agent on the application. This removes the financial risk of applying to properties where approval isn’t guaranteed — if the renter is approved and signs, the fee comes back.

What San Antonio Apartment Locators Can’t Help With

Honest limitations matter more than promises. There are situations where the San Antonio apartment market doesn’t have enough inventory to make placement realistic:

Registered sex offenders. Approximately 95%+ of apartment communities in San Antonio auto-decline applicants on the sex offender registry. The few properties that review these applications do so with significant restrictions, and placement success rates are very low.

Active warrants. Communities cannot house applicants with active warrants. This must be resolved before the apartment search begins.

Income below minimum thresholds with no guarantee of qualification. If gross monthly income falls below 2.5x the rent for target properties, and the renter doesn’t qualify for a third-party guarantee to reduce the income threshold, the math doesn’t work. Budget adjustment (lower rent target, different area, smaller unit) is the first conversation.

Expectation management. No locator can guarantee approval. Screening decisions are made by the property’s management company, not by the locator. What a locator does is eliminate wasted applications by targeting only communities with criteria that match the renter’s actual profile.

Why Work With a Locator for Bad Credit Apartments

Apartment locators in Texas are licensed real estate professionals. The service is free to the renter. The apartment community pays a referral fee from their marketing budget when the renter signs a lease.

The Win-Win-Win model works like this:

The renter saves time and avoids wasting application fees at properties that will auto-decline their profile. The community gets a qualified tenant without spending additional marketing dollars. The locator earns a referral fee (typically one month’s rent) paid by the property.

The renter’s monthly rent is identical whether they use a locator or apply directly. There is no markup, no hidden fee, and no cost added to the lease. The lease is between the renter and the apartment community — the locator is not on the lease.

“Can I do this myself?” Absolutely. Renters with clean credit and straightforward profiles can search listing sites effectively on their own. The value of a locator increases when credit or background issues are involved, because the locator knows which management companies screen at which thresholds — information that Zillow, Apartments.com, and other listing sites don’t provide. For a renter with a 560 credit score and a 4-year-old broken lease, applying to the right 5 properties instead of the most popular 5 can mean the difference between $250 in wasted app fees and a signed lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to rent an apartment in San Antonio?

There’s no single minimum — it depends on the property class. Luxury properties (0–5 years old) typically require 680+. Class A (5–15 years) starts around 650. Class B (15–30 years) approves as low as 580. Class C (30+ years) and Second-Chance properties work with scores in the 500–580 range. San Antonio’s market generally screens 20–30 points lower than Austin for equivalent properties.

Can I get approved with a credit score below 500?

Yes, but options are limited to roughly 8% of the San Antonio market. Second-Chance properties are the primary option, and a third-party guarantee is almost always required. Clean rental history (no evictions, no property debt) and income at 2.5x–3x rent are typically needed as compensating factors. Expect a deposit equal to one full month’s rent.

Do San Antonio apartments check credit differently from Austin?

The screening mechanics are the same — credit pull, rental history, and background check. But San Antonio communities tend to approve at lower credit thresholds than Austin. A Class B property in Austin might set a 620 minimum; a similar Class B in San Antonio often approves at 590–600. San Antonio’s lower rent levels and more value-focused renter market drive this difference.

Which San Antonio areas have the most bad-credit-friendly apartments?

The Northwest/Bandera Road corridor (78240, 78249, 78250), the I-10 West/Medical Center area (78229, 78230), and the Northeast/Perrin Beitel corridor (78217, 78218) have the deepest concentrations of Class B and Class C inventory. The Southeast/Brooks area (78223, 78235) has some of the lowest rents with more flexible screening, though the housing stock is older. Surrounding suburbs like Converse, Live Oak, and Schertz along the I-35 corridor also carry moderate Class B and C inventory with reasonable screening flexibility.

Are there apartments near JBSA that accept bad credit?

Yes. The Northeast corridor near Fort Sam Houston, the Northwest side near Lackland, and properties along I-35 near Randolph all include Class B, C, and Second-Chance communities. Many San Antonio properties are familiar with military screening situations — PCS moves, deployment-related lease breaks, and BAH as income verification are understood by leasing teams near base installations.

How long does it take to get approved with bad credit?

For credit-only issues with clean rental history: 3–5 days from first tour to signed lease. For moderate combined issues: 1–2 weeks. For complex profiles requiring a third-party guarantee: 2–3 weeks, because the guarantee company’s underwriting process adds 3–5 business days to the application timeline.

What is a third-party guarantee and how much does it cost?

A third-party guarantee is a corporate insurance product that covers the apartment community’s risk if the tenant defaults. It’s not a co-signer — the renter is the only person on the lease. The cost is typically one month’s rent ($1,000–$1,500 in San Antonio), payable as a lump sum or split 50/50 over 5–6 months. It also drops the income requirement from 3x to 2.5x rent at most properties.

What documents do I need to apply?

At minimum: last 2–3 pay stubs, photo ID, Social Security number, and contact information for previous landlords. Self-employed applicants need 2 years of tax returns and 3–6 months of bank statements. If there’s an eviction, broken lease, or bankruptcy on record, bring court paperwork showing dismissal, satisfaction, or discharge. An explanation letter describing the circumstances helps at communities that review applications individually.

How does a free apartment locator get paid?

Apartment communities pay the locator a referral fee from their marketing budget when a renter signs a lease. The fee is typically one month’s rent. The renter pays nothing — rent is identical whether the renter uses a locator or applies directly. The locator’s financial incentive is to get the renter approved and moved in, because no signed lease means no payment.

Is my rent higher if I use an apartment locator?

No. The rent amount is set by the apartment community and is the same regardless of how the renter found the property. The referral fee comes from the community’s marketing budget — the same budget they’d spend on listing site advertising. Renters can verify this by checking the property’s website directly and comparing the advertised rent to what the locator quoted.

Get Help Finding Bad Credit Apartments in San Antonio

San Antonio Apartment Locators matches renters with communities based on their actual credit profile, income, and rental history — not guesswork. The service is free, and the goal is simple: avoid wasted application fees by targeting properties that will realistically approve.

Fill out the form with your situation details, and San Antonio Apartment Locators will respond with matched community options. Or call directly: 210-468-7667.

After the form is submitted, San Antonio Apartment Locators reviews the information and typically responds within one business day with a curated list of communities that match the renter’s credit range, income, preferred area, and timeline.

San Antonio Apartment Locators is committed to Fair Housing practices. All services are provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. All properties referenced are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act. Bexar County residents can also contact the City of San Antonio Fair Housing Program at (210) 207-5309 or the Fair Housing Council of South Texas at (210) 733-3247 for housing-related concerns.

Screening criteria referenced on this page are based on general market patterns and may vary by community, unit type, lease length, and applicant profile. Verify current requirements directly with any property before submitting an application.

Marlene Quade | TX Real Estate License #826490-SA | Brokered by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC | Broker License #562021