San Antonio Apartment Hunting with a Judgment on Your Credit

What Works for Bad Credit Issues

There’s no such thing as a “judgment friendly” apartment list. The term doesn’t map to how screening systems actually work. What determines approval isn’t the judgment itself — it’s what the judgment did to the credit score and whether that judgment is tied to a previous landlord. Those are two completely different problems with two completely different solutions, and confusing them costs San Antonio renters hundreds in wasted application fees.

That frustration is real. A renter applies to three communities, pays $50-150 per application, and gets denied each time. Not because of the judgment directly, but because the judgment dropped their credit score below the community’s minimum threshold. Nobody told them what that threshold was before they applied. Nobody explained which property classes match their current profile.

I’m Marlene Quade with San Antonio Apartment Locators. I’ve helped San Antonio families with judgment-impacted credit find housing across every part of this city. I can’t make a judgment disappear from a credit report, and I won’t promise guaranteed approval — but I can match your actual screening profile to communities where approval is realistic.

This page breaks down what a judgment on credit actually means for apartment screening in San Antonio, the real credit and income thresholds that determine approval, which areas of the city have the most inventory for different profiles, and the step-by-step process to get approved without burning money on applications that were never going to work. San Antonio Apartment Locators built this guide with specific screening data, not vague promises about “flexible criteria.”

What a Judgment on Your Credit Actually Means for Apartment Screening

The word “judgment” covers a lot of ground, and apartment screening systems don’t treat every judgment the same way. Understanding which type of judgment is on the record, and where it shows up in the screening process, determines the entire approach to finding housing.

Civil Judgments vs. Landlord Judgments: The Distinction That Changes Everything

A civil money judgment comes from a non-landlord source: credit card lawsuits, medical debt collections, auto loan deficiency balances, personal loans, or small claims court losses. These judgments hit the credit score hard. A single judgment can drop a score 80-100 points or more depending on the amount and the renter’s existing credit profile. But civil judgments don’t create property debt on rental history reports. Screening systems see the credit score impact, but the judgment doesn’t trigger the landlord-debt flag in LexisNexis rental history screening.

A landlord judgment is different. When a previous landlord wins an eviction case in court, or wins a money judgment for unpaid rent, broken lease fees, or property damage, that judgment creates property debt on the renter’s record. Property debt shows up on LexisNexis rental history reports, a separate screening layer that 99.99% of apartment communities use to auto-decline applicants. This isn’t a credit score problem. It’s a rental history problem, and the solution is completely different.

The distinction matters because the search strategy changes depending on which type applies. Civil judgment holders are solving a credit score problem. Landlord judgment holders are solving a credit score problem AND a property debt problem at the same time.

How Judgments Show Up on Screening Reports

Apartment communities in San Antonio typically run three screening checks: a credit report, a criminal background check, and a rental history report.

A civil judgment shows up in two places. It appears on the credit report in the public records section, and it drags the credit score down. It may also appear on a background check if the screening service pulls public court records. But it does NOT appear on the rental history report because it’s not landlord-related debt.

A landlord judgment shows up in all three. The credit report takes the score hit. The background check may show the court case. And the rental history report (the one that matters most for landlord-related debt) flags the outstanding property debt through LexisNexis.

Satisfied vs. unsatisfied status matters too. A satisfied judgment (paid in full with court documentation) still appears on the record, but screening systems view it more favorably. An unsatisfied judgment, especially one tied to a previous landlord, is the single hardest screening barrier to overcome in apartment applications.

The Real Screening Requirements for Renters with Judgments in San Antonio

Generic “judgment friendly” advice is useless without actual numbers. Here’s how San Antonio’s apartment screening landscape actually works for renters whose credit has been impacted by a judgment.

Credit Score Thresholds by Property Class

Every apartment community has a credit minimum. That minimum correlates directly with the property’s age, rent level, and management company. A judgment-impacted credit score maps to specific property classes, and knowing that mapping prevents wasted applications.

A $5,000 medical debt judgment that drops a renter from 660 to 570 moves them from 90% market access to 60-70%. That’s the real impact: not the judgment line item itself, but the credit score shift it caused.

Income Requirements by Property Class

Strong income can partially offset a judgment-weakened credit score at some communities. San Antonio’s property classes each have different income thresholds:

One thing that surprises many renters: Second-Chance properties often require HIGHER income multiples than Class C communities. That’s the risk premium. They’re accepting renters other communities decline, so they offset that risk by requiring stronger income verification. A renter with a 580 credit score and steady income may actually pay less at a Class C community (where they exceed the credit minimum) than at a Second-Chance property (where they barely meet it).

Background Check and Lookback Periods

Civil judgments remain on credit reports for up to 7 years from the filing date. Satisfied judgments may have less score impact as they age, but the record stays visible.

In Texas, screening criteria must be provided to applicants in writing before application, per Texas Property Code Section 92.3515. That means renters can (and should) ask to see the community’s written screening criteria before paying an application fee.

Screening criteria vary by community and change over time. The thresholds listed here reflect general patterns observed across the San Antonio market. Verify current requirements directly with any property before applying.

Civil Judgments (Non-Landlord): The Credit Score Problem

When the judgment on credit isn’t from a previous landlord, the screening barrier is simpler, though not easy. It’s a credit score game. The judgment crushed the score, and the score determines which communities will approve the application.

Medical Debt Judgments

San Antonio’s Medical Center corridor is one of the largest employment hubs in the city, and Bexar County has a significant uninsured and underinsured population. Medical debt judgments are common here. A single hospital stay can generate a $15,000-30,000 bill that goes to collections, gets sued on, and results in a money judgment.

The credit reporting landscape for medical debt has shifted in recent years. Paid medical collections and unpaid medical collections under $500 are now excluded from credit reports by the three major bureaus as of 2023. But a medical debt judgment, especially one still outstanding, remains on the record and continues to suppress the credit score.

For apartment screening purposes, most San Antonio communities don’t distinguish between medical debt judgments and other civil judgments. The screening algorithm sees the credit score, not the reason behind it. A 560 credit score from medical debt is treated the same as a 560 from credit card default.

That said, some communities with case-by-case review policies (roughly 10-15% of the market) may view a medical debt judgment more favorably when the renter provides documentation showing the debt was health-related, not from financial irresponsibility. An explanation letter helps at these communities, but only at communities where a real human reviews borderline applications.

Credit Card and Consumer Debt Judgments

Credit card and consumer debt judgments follow a similar pattern. The judgment amount matters for score impact: a $2,000 judgment suppresses a score differently than a $20,000 judgment. Age matters too. A 5-year-old judgment has less score drag than a 6-month-old judgment, even if the amount is identical.

For apartment screening, the practical question is: what did the judgment do to the current score? A renter with a $3,000 credit card judgment from 4 years ago whose score has recovered to 610 has a very different apartment search than someone with a $12,000 judgment from last year sitting at 520.

Satisfied judgments (paid with court proof) don’t immediately restore the credit score, but they do stop the active damage. Over 12-24 months, a satisfied judgment allows credit rebuilding that can shift a renter from Tier 4 or 5 into Tier 3 or even Tier 2, a significant expansion of available communities.

Auto Loan Deficiency and Small Claims Judgments

Auto repossession deficiency judgments (where the sale of the vehicle didn’t cover the loan balance) and small claims judgments work the same way in apartment screening. They tank the credit score and show up in public records, but they don’t trigger property debt flags.

One note on auto deficiency judgments specifically: the balance owed after the vehicle sale can be substantial ($5,000-15,000 in many cases), and that judgment amount continues to drag the credit score until it’s either paid, settled, or discharged. Settling for less than the full amount is an option that can stop the active damage faster than paying in full over years, though the “settled for less” notation still appears on the credit report.

Outcome statement: Renters with a civil judgment but no landlord-related debt typically have 30-70% of the San Antonio market accessible depending on current credit score and income. The number rises significantly for renters with scores above 580 and income at 3x rent or higher.

Landlord Judgments: When Property Debt Changes the Equation

This is where apartment searching with a judgment gets genuinely difficult. When the judgment is from a previous landlord (eviction judgment, money judgment for unpaid rent, broken lease fee judgment), it creates property debt on the rental history report. And property debt changes everything.

Eviction Judgments with Outstanding Property Debt

Here’s the uncomfortable reality: 99.99% of apartment communities in San Antonio will auto-decline an applicant with outstanding property debt on their rental history, regardless of credit score, income, or anything else. Property debt is tracked through LexisNexis, and it functions as an industry-wide blacklist. Owing a previous landlord money signals to the next landlord that the same thing could happen to them. For more on how eviction records specifically affect apartment applications, see this guide on finding eviction friendly apartments in San Antonio.

The only proven solution is a third-party guarantee service (sometimes called a lease guarantor or co-signer company). This isn’t a traditional co-signer. It’s a corporate insurance product.

How third-party guarantees work:

1. The renter pays a fee to the third-party company (typically one month’s rent, $1,000-1,500 for most San Antonio apartments)
2. The company underwrites the risk (reviews credit, income, rental history)
3. The company issues a guarantee certificate to the apartment community
4. The community accepts the guarantee as an offset to the property debt
5. The renter signs the lease as the primary tenant. The guarantee is backup, not a co-signer on the lease

Payment options: Lump sum at lease signing, or a 50/50 split (half upfront, half spread over 5-6 months added to monthly rent).

Income reduction: Using a third-party guarantee typically drops the income requirement from 3x to 2.5x monthly rent. For a $1,300/month apartment, that’s the difference between needing $3,900/month and $3,250/month in gross income.

Not all property classes accept third-party guarantees at the same rate:

Targeting Class B and Second-Chance communities with a third-party guarantee in hand is the realistic path for renters with eviction judgments and active property debt.

Satisfied Landlord Judgments (Paid in Full)

A satisfied landlord judgment (one where the renter paid the full amount and has court documentation proving it) is significantly better than outstanding property debt. The record still shows on rental history, but the “paid” status opens doors.

Market access with a satisfied landlord judgment: roughly 20-30% of the San Antonio market, primarily Second-Chance properties and some Class B communities with case-by-case review policies. The lookback period is typically 5-7 years. A satisfied landlord judgment from 6+ years ago with a recovered credit score has minimal impact at most communities.

Third-party guarantee may still be required at some communities even with a satisfied judgment, depending on the management company’s policies.

Judgments Discharged in Bankruptcy

If rental-related debt was included in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, the debt is legally uncollectible and technically no longer constitutes active property debt. This is the only way to clear property debt from a rental history without paying the full balance.

The catch: the debt still shows on the LexisNexis report even after discharge. Renters must proactively provide bankruptcy discharge paperwork showing the rental debt was included. Without that documentation, screening systems still see the property debt flag and auto-decline. The discharge schedule (the court document listing every debt included in the bankruptcy) is the specific page that matters. Bring a certified copy, not a photocopy.

Some communities accept discharge paperwork and approve without a third-party guarantee. Others take a more conservative approach and require the guarantee as backup regardless. Having both the discharge paperwork and a third-party guarantee approval ready gives the broadest range of options.

How to Get Approved with a Judgment in San Antonio: Step by Step

The approval pathway is different for civil judgments and landlord judgments, but the strategic approach is the same: know exactly what’s on the record, target the right property class, prepare documentation, and apply to pre-screened communities, not random listings.

Step 1: Know Exactly What’s on Your Record

Before contacting a single apartment community, pull three reports:

Credit report: Free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check the public records section for judgment entries, note the amount, creditor, date filed, and whether it shows as satisfied or unsatisfied. Note the current credit score.

Bexar County court records: The Bexar County District Clerk’s office maintains civil case records. Search for any cases where a previous landlord sued for unpaid rent or damages. If an eviction case shows a money judgment, that’s a landlord judgment, and it creates property debt.

Rental history: Request a copy of the LexisNexis rental history report. This shows any property debt associated with previous landlord addresses. TexasLawHelp.org provides free information on tenant rights related to eviction records and landlord disputes for renters who need to understand what’s on their record.

The goal is to answer three questions: Is the judgment civil or landlord-related? Is it satisfied or unsatisfied? How old is it? Those three answers determine the entire strategy.

Step 2: Map Your Profile to the Right Property Class

With credit score, judgment type, and income in hand, match the profile to a realistic property class using the tables above. Don’t apply to communities where the credit score falls below the minimum. That’s a guaranteed denial and a wasted application fee.

Call leasing offices before applying. Two questions that save money: “What’s your minimum credit score for approval?” and “Do you accept applicants with civil judgments on credit?” If the renter has landlord-related property debt, add: “Do you accept third-party guarantee services?”

Step 3: Prepare Documentation

Have these ready before submitting any application:

• Proof of income: last 2-3 months of paystubs, or tax returns if self-employed
• Government-issued photo ID
• Rental history since the judgment (showing on-time payments strengthens the application)
• Judgment satisfaction letter (if the judgment has been paid; get this from the court)
• Bankruptcy discharge paperwork (if applicable, showing rental debt was included)
• Explanation letter (only useful at communities with genuine case-by-case review, about 10-15% of the market)
• Third-party guarantee certificate (if applicable; obtain before applying, not after)

Step 4: Apply Strategically

Apply to 1-2 pre-screened communities at a time. Wait for the decision before applying elsewhere. Shotgun applications (hitting 5-8 communities simultaneously) burn money and create multiple hard credit inquiries that further suppress the score.

Timeline expectations:

• Clean civil judgment, score above 580, strong income: 3-5 days typical approval
• Civil judgment with borderline score (550-580): 1-2 weeks (may require manager review)
• Landlord judgment with third-party guarantee: 2-3 weeks (underwriting + application review)

Timing note: San Antonio’s apartment market has seasonal patterns. Summer months (June-August) see the most competition for units, driven partly by military PCS moves near Joint Base San Antonio. Fall and winter months typically have more negotiating room on deposits and concessions.

The 60-day availability window applies to all apartment searches in San Antonio. Communities can’t hold a unit for longer than 60 days from lease signing, so apartment hunting more than 60 days before the target move-in date produces options that won’t still be available when it’s time to move.

Where to Look in San Antonio: Geographic Breakdown

San Antonio sprawls across more than 500 square miles. Judgment-friendly inventory (communities with lower credit minimums, older property stock in Class B and C tiers, and Second-Chance options) concentrates in specific corridors. The table below maps the major sub-areas.

Notes on the geographic landscape: The Northwest Side (particularly the Leon Valley and Ingram Park areas) has the single largest concentration of Class B and C inventory in San Antonio. According to Texas Housers’ Bexar County eviction mapping, this area also has some of the highest eviction filing rates in the county, which correlates with a higher concentration of Second-Chance properties willing to work with renters who have screening challenges.

The Medical Center corridor offers the best transit access for renters without vehicles, with multiple VIA bus routes connecting to major employers. Property inventory is dense here (78+ apartment communities in the Medical Center neighborhood alone according to apartment tracking data), but it skews more toward Class A and B, meaning renters with credit below 570 may find fewer options in this specific area. For more on San Antonio’s walkable and transit-connected neighborhoods, see the best neighborhoods for young professionals.

The Southeast and Southside corridors offer the lowest rent floors in the city, with some Class C 1-bedroom units starting below $800/month. For renters where budget is the primary constraint alongside the judgment, these areas provide the most options per dollar, though the property stock tends to be older (30+ years) and amenity offerings are more basic. For a broader look at how different San Antonio neighborhoods compare for different household types, see the guide on top family-friendly areas to rent across San Antonio.

Geographic boundaries and rent ranges reflect general market observations. Specific community availability and pricing change frequently. Confirm current options directly with San Antonio Apartment Locators or with individual communities.

Pricing Reality: What Judgment-Friendly Apartments Actually Cost in San Antonio

San Antonio’s apartment market is more affordable than Austin, Dallas, or Houston, with rents typically 15-25% lower for comparable property classes. But advertised rent and actual monthly cost are two different numbers, and the gap catches renters off guard.

Net Effective Rent: The Number That Actually Matters

When a community advertises “$899/month with 2 months free on a 12-month lease,” the actual average monthly cost is lower than $899. Net effective rent reveals the true number.

Formula: (Monthly rent × lease term – free months × monthly rent) ÷ lease term

Example: $1,100/month, 12-month lease, 2 months free

($1,100 × 12 – 2 × $1,100) ÷ 12 = ($13,200 – $2,200) ÷ 12 = $916.67 net effective rent

That’s $183/month less than the sticker price. When comparing communities, always calculate net effective rent. The community with the higher base rent but better concession may actually cost less per month.

Communities offering aggressive concessions (2+ months free) are typically below their target occupancy (90-92%). That means negotiating room. A renter can sometimes negotiate additional concessions (a reduced deposit, waived admin fee, or an upgraded unit at the base price) on top of the advertised special.

The Hidden Fee Gap

Advertised rent in San Antonio rarely includes all the mandatory monthly charges. These fees add $75-200/month to the actual cost:

A community advertising $1,050/month with $150 in mandatory fees is a $1,200/month apartment. That distinction matters for income qualification. The income multiple applies to total monthly housing cost, not just base rent, at many communities.

Second-Chance premium: Second-Chance properties in San Antonio typically charge $100-300/month more than comparable Class C communities. A Second-Chance 1-bedroom at $1,200/month might sit next to a Class C 1-bedroom at $950, both with similar finishes and square footage. The price difference is the risk premium. Renters with credit above the Class C minimum (usually 570-580) should target Class C first, where they exceed the requirement and pay less, before defaulting to Second-Chance properties.

What San Antonio Apartment Locators Can’t Help With: Hard Stops

Honesty about limitations matters more than promising everything works out. Some situations fall outside what an apartment locator can realistically help with:

Active sex offense registry status results in automatic decline at 95%+ of apartment communities in San Antonio. The remaining options are extremely limited and typically restricted to specific private landlords. For renters with other types of criminal history, San Antonio Apartment Locators has a separate guide on felony friendly apartments in San Antonio.

Multiple eviction judgments with active property debt combined with credit below 500 narrows available communities to 1-2 options in most cases. At that point, even third-party guarantee services may decline underwriting because the combined risk profile exceeds their parameters.

Fraudulent application history (a previous application flagged for fraud, such as falsified income documents or identity misrepresentation) creates a screening flag that most communities won’t overlook regardless of current qualifications.

Income below 2x monthly rent with no co-signer option doesn’t clear the minimum income threshold at any property class, including Second-Chance communities.

These are service limitations, not judgments about anyone’s character or situation. San Antonio Apartment Locators is upfront about these boundaries because false hope wastes everyone’s time and money.

Why Work With a San Antonio Apartment Locator

The apartment locator model works differently than most people expect.

How it works: San Antonio Apartment Locators matches renters with communities, the renter tours and applies, and if the renter signs a lease, the community pays a referral fee to the locator. The renter pays nothing for the locator’s service: no fees, no hidden charges, no catch. The community pays because finding qualified renters saves them marketing costs and vacancy losses.

Why it matters for judgment holders specifically: The value isn’t just convenience. It’s knowing which management companies screen for judgments and at what thresholds, before spending $50-150 per application finding out through trial and error. Management Company A might auto-decline anyone under 600 credit, while Management Company B (same property class, same rent range, same area) works with 550+ and accepts third-party guarantees. That knowledge prevents wasted applications.

A renter with a judgment-impacted credit score of 565 who applies to three communities blind might spend $300-450 in application fees on three denials. Working with a locator who knows which communities match that profile eliminates most of that waste.

Can renters do this themselves? Absolutely. Nothing stops a renter from calling leasing offices, asking about credit minimums, and self-screening. The locator’s value is having those relationships already mapped, especially for renters with time pressure or complex screening profiles that don’t fit the “apply online and see what happens” approach.

Licensing disclosure: San Antonio Apartment Locators operates under Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, Texas Broker License #562021. All locator services are provided by licensed Texas real estate agents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an apartment in San Antonio with a judgment on my credit?

Yes, but the options depend on the type of judgment and the current credit score. Civil judgments (medical debt, credit cards, auto loans) primarily affect the credit score, and communities screen based on credit minimums, not the judgment itself. Landlord judgments with outstanding property debt are harder. Third-party guarantee services are typically required. San Antonio has a broad inventory across property classes, so even renters with credit in the 550-580 range have options.

Do all apartments check for judgments during screening?

All apartment communities in San Antonio run credit checks, and judgments appear in the public records section of credit reports. Communities see the judgment entry and the credit score impact. For landlord-related judgments, the LexisNexis rental history check reveals property debt separately. Some Class C and Second-Chance properties place more weight on income verification than credit score, but the judgment still shows on the report.

What credit score do I need with a judgment on my record?

There’s no single answer. It depends on the property class. Class A communities typically require 620-650+. Class B properties range from 570-620. Class C properties often work with 550-580+. Second-Chance properties may accept 500-550 with strong income (2.5x-3x rent). The judgment itself doesn’t create a separate threshold; it’s the credit score impact that determines access.

Does paying off a judgment help my apartment application?

Paying off a civil judgment and obtaining a satisfaction letter stops the active credit damage and begins score recovery. Over 12-24 months, a satisfied judgment allows meaningful credit rebuilding. For landlord judgments, paying off property debt improves the record status to “satisfied,” but it doesn’t immediately remove the rental history flag from LexisNexis. Third-party guarantee may still be needed even after paying off landlord-related debt.

Which areas of San Antonio have the most judgment-friendly apartments?

The Northwest Side (78240, 78238, 78229) has the largest concentration of Class B and C inventory. The Northeast Side (78233, 78217, 78218) and Southeast/Southside corridors (78223, 78211, 78214) offer the most budget-friendly Class C options. The Medical Center corridor (78229, 78213) has high apartment density but skews toward Class A and B, so renters with credit below 570 may find fewer matches there.

Are there apartments near the Medical Center that accept lower credit scores?

The Medical Center neighborhood has 78+ apartment communities, and several Class B properties in the area work with credit scores in the 570-600 range. The surrounding zip codes (78229, 78213) include older Class B inventory with credit minimums in the 570-580 range. Renters with credit below 570 may need to expand the search radius to the Northwest Side or Ingram Park areas, which have more Class C and Second-Chance options within a 10-15 minute drive of the Medical Center.

How long does it take to get approved with a judgment?

Timeline depends on complexity. Civil judgment with credit above 580 and strong income: 3-5 days. Borderline credit score requiring manager review: 1-2 weeks. Landlord judgment requiring third-party guarantee underwriting: 2-3 weeks. Urgent moves (need housing within days) limit options to communities with same-day or next-day application processing, typically Second-Chance properties.

What documents do I need to apply with a judgment on my credit?

Standard requirements: last 2-3 months of paystubs (or tax returns if self-employed), government photo ID, and any documentation showing rental payment history since the judgment. If the judgment is satisfied, bring the satisfaction letter from the court. If pursuing third-party guarantee, the guarantee certificate should be obtained before applying. An explanation letter may help at communities with case-by-case review, but it won’t override automated screening at most properties.

What is a third-party guarantee and do I need one?

A third-party guarantee is a corporate service that acts as insurance for the apartment community, guaranteeing rent payment and lease obligations. It costs roughly one month’s rent ($1,000-1,500 for most San Antonio apartments) and can be paid in a lump sum or split over 5-6 months. Renters with landlord-related property debt almost always need one. Renters with civil judgments only (no property debt) typically don’t need one unless their credit score is below 550 and they’re targeting communities that require additional assurance.

How does an apartment locator get paid?

The apartment community pays a referral fee to San Antonio Apartment Locators when a renter signs a lease. The renter pays nothing for the locator service. This is standard in the Texas apartment industry. Communities budget for marketing and referral costs, and paying a locator is often less expensive for them than running advertising campaigns or absorbing vacancy losses. San Antonio Apartment Locators can be reached at 210-468-7667.

Find Your Next Apartment in San Antonio Even with a Judgement

A judgment on credit doesn’t have to mean months of rejected applications and wasted fees. It means targeting the right property class, knowing the real screening thresholds, and applying to communities where the profile fits. The difference between a scattered search and a focused one is often hundreds of dollars in saved application fees and weeks of saved time.

San Antonio Apartment Locators reviews each renter’s situation (credit score, judgment type, income, move-in timeline, and preferred areas) and matches it to communities with realistic approval odds. The service is free to renters. Call 210-468-7667 or submit the form below, and the team typically responds within 24-48 hours with matched community options.

San Antonio Apartment Locators is a licensed apartment locating service operated under Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, Texas Broker License #562021. This page provides general information about apartment screening practices in the San Antonio market and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Screening criteria vary by community and change over time. Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability.