Renting an Apartment in San Antonio with Student Loan Debt

The Part Nobody Tells You About Student Loans and Apartment Screening

Most apartment advice sites will tell you that student loan debt makes it harder to rent. That’s only half true, and the half they leave out is the part that actually matters.

Student loans are not property debt. They don’t show up on the rental history reports that apartment communities pull during screening. A broken lease, an eviction judgment, unpaid rent from a prior landlord. Those are property debts, and they’ll get an application auto-declined at 99% of communities. Student loan balances? They don’t appear on that report at all.

The real issue is your credit score. And after the federal government restarted collections on defaulted student loans in May 2025, millions of borrowers watched their scores drop 60 to 175 points practically overnight. That credit score damage is what’s blocking apartment approvals, not the loan balance itself. Renters who qualified for Class A apartments six months ago are now getting declined at places they would’ve breezed into.

If you’ve already burned through $100, $200, or more in non-refundable application fees at properties that were never going to approve your current credit score, that frustration is real. And the generic advice floating around online (“pay off your loans first” or “improve your credit”) isn’t helpful when you need housing in the next 30 days.

I’m Marlene Quade with San Antonio Apartment Locators. I work with renters across San Antonio dealing with credit challenges, including the wave of student loan borrowers whose scores dropped after collections restarted. I can’t erase the debt — but I can match renters to communities that will actually approve their current profile.

This page breaks down how student loan debt actually interacts with San Antonio’s apartment screening systems, with real credit thresholds, property class mapping, geographic options, and current pricing data. No vague tips. No recycled advice.

How Student Loan Debt Actually Affects Apartment Applications

Student Loans Are Not Property Debt

This distinction matters more than almost anything else on this page.

When a renter applies for an apartment, the community’s screening system checks four things: credit score, income verification, rental history (via LexisNexis), and criminal background. Student loans only affect one of those four: the credit score.

Property debt is money owed to a previous landlord: unpaid rent, broken lease fees, eviction judgments, damage charges. That debt gets reported through LexisNexis rental history reports, and it triggers auto-decline at virtually every apartment community in San Antonio. (Renters dealing with bad credit from non-property debt like student loans have a different screening pathway than those with evictions or broken leases on their rental history.)

Student loans, credit card balances, medical collections, and car loans are all consumer debt. They affect credit scores. They do not show up on rental history reports. A renter could owe $80,000 in student loans and still have a clean rental history, because those are two completely separate screening systems.

That’s good news, because it means the approval pathway is about managing the credit score variable, not overcoming a rental history flag.

The Three Student Loan Statuses That Matter for Screening

Not all student loan situations create the same screening problem. The status of the loan determines the credit impact:

In good standing (payments current): On-time student loan payments can actually help a credit score. The loan shows as an active account with positive payment history. Renters in this category rarely face screening issues related to the loan itself. The main concern is whether the monthly payment eats into the budget enough to affect rent affordability.

Delinquent (90+ days past due): Once a borrower is 90 days late, the loan servicer reports the delinquency to credit bureaus. Scores start dropping. TransUnion’s 2025 data showed that borrowers who became delinquent after the payment pause ended saw average score drops of about 60 points. A renter who was sitting at 680 six months ago might now be at 620. Still workable at most properties, but a noticeably different screening position.

Default (270+ days past due): This is where things get serious. Federal student loans enter default status after roughly nine months of non-payment. The federal government restarted involuntary collections in May 2025 after a five-year pause, and the fallout has been dramatic. TransUnion’s May 2025 analysis found that borrowers who defaulted saw credit score drops of 63 points on average, and as much as 175 points for borrowers who previously had excellent credit. Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimated that over nine million student loan borrowers would face major credit standing declines in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

A 175-point drop can move a renter from “qualifies everywhere” to “needs a specialized approval strategy.” That’s the reality a lot of San Antonio renters are navigating right now.

Real Screening Thresholds: What San Antonio Apartments Actually Require

Credit Score Tiers and Market Access

This is where most online advice falls apart. Other sites say “bad credit makes it harder to rent” without telling you what the actual thresholds are. Here they are.

Apartment communities in San Antonio screen across a range of credit minimums depending on the property’s age, condition, and management company. These tiers represent the operational reality across the market:

Here’s what that means in practice. A renter earning $4,500 per month with a 620 credit score, even carrying $45,000 in student loan debt, accesses 95%+ of San Antonio’s apartment market. The student loan balance doesn’t matter to the screening system. The score does.

Now compare that to a renter whose score dropped from 680 to 520 after their student loans went into default. That person went from qualifying at virtually every property in San Antonio to qualifying at roughly 10-15% of the market. Same income, same rental history, same person. The only thing that changed was the credit score.

That’s why the “just pay off your loans” advice misses the point. The score drop has already happened. The question now is: which properties will approve the score you have today? San Antonio Apartment Locators works across 25 different credit issue categories to match renters to the right property class.

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.

How Student Loan Payments Affect Income Screening

Credit score is the primary screening variable, but income matters too. And this is where student loan monthly payments create a second pressure point.

Most San Antonio apartment communities screen based on gross monthly income. They want to see 2.5x to 3x the monthly rent, depending on the property class. They don’t subtract student loan payments from that calculation. If a renter earns $4,500 gross per month and the rent is $1,400, they meet the 3x threshold ($4,200 required) regardless of what goes to Sallie Mae each month.

But budget math still applies. If $400 of that $4,500 goes to student loan payments, the renter’s actual available income for rent, utilities, and living expenses is $4,100. Choosing a $1,400 apartment means about 34% of take-home goes to rent alone, before adding mandatory fees.

Here’s how student loan payments affect realistic rent ceilings:

The “Max Rent at 3x Screening” column shows what a renter qualifies for on paper. The “Realistic Budget Rent” column shows what’s actually comfortable after the student loan payment comes out. Renters who stretch to the screening maximum often end up in trouble three months later.

A few Class A properties in San Antonio do look at total debt load during screening, checking whether the applicant’s combined monthly obligations (rent + car + student loans + credit cards) exceed a certain percentage of income. This is more common at luxury communities managed by larger corporate operators. But it’s the exception, not the rule. Most Class B, Class C, and Second-Chance communities screen on gross income and credit score only. Renters whose student loan payments push their debt-to-income ratio above typical thresholds can review more options on the high DTI apartments page.

Student Loan Default and Your Apartment Options

Student Loans in Good Standing: Minimal Screening Impact

If a renter’s student loans are current (payments made on time, no delinquency markers on the credit report), the impact on apartment screening is minimal. On-time student loan payments actually contribute to positive payment history, which is the single largest factor in credit score calculations.

The only concern is debt-to-income pressure on the budget. A renter with $50,000 in student loan debt but a 660 credit score and $4,500 in monthly income has access to 95%+ of San Antonio’s apartment market. The screening system doesn’t care about the loan balance. It cares about the score and the income.

Renters in this category have options across every property class. The focus should be on finding the best value. In San Antonio’s current renter-friendly market, means targeting properties with concessions and calculating net effective rent rather than base rent.

Student Loans in Delinquency: The Credit Score Problem

Delinquency is where screening starts getting complicated. After 90 days of missed payments, the loan servicer reports the delinquency to the three major credit bureaus. That reporting triggers a score drop, typically 40 to 80 points depending on the renter’s prior credit profile. By May 2025, TransUnion reported that student loan delinquencies among rental applicants had doubled, with the share 90+ days past due climbing from 15% in January to 32% by mid-year.

For a renter who was at 650, a 60-point drop to 590 moves them from Tier 2 (95%+ market access) to Tier 3 (60-70% market access). That’s a meaningful shift. Properties that would have approved the application without a second thought are now declining or requiring higher deposits. San Antonio Apartment Locators has a dedicated breakdown of options for renters with low credit and delinquent accounts.

The practical impact: Class A properties become harder to access. Class B properties are still largely available. The renter still has real options, but the list is shorter, and application strategy matters more. Applying blindly to properties with 650+ credit minimums means burning non-refundable application fees.

One path out of delinquency: enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan through the loan servicer. This brings the account current (even if the monthly payment is $0 based on income), stops the delinquency clock, and prevents further credit damage. It won’t undo the score drop immediately, but it stops the bleeding.

Student Loans in Default: Navigating Severe Credit Damage

Default status (270+ days without payment) is the hardest screening position. The score drops are larger (63 points average, up to 175 for previously high-score borrowers). The default status itself appears on credit reports for up to seven years.

After the May 2025 collections restart, San Antonio saw a surge in renters dealing with this exact situation. Borrowers who hadn’t made payments during the five-year pandemic pause suddenly faced default reporting, and their scores cratered. The New York Fed reported that over 2.2 million newly delinquent student loan borrowers saw their scores drop more than 100 points in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

Here’s how default maps to apartment options in San Antonio:

Score landed at 570-599 (Tier 3): Still 60-70% of the market accessible. Target Class B properties, typically 15-30 years old, rents in the $1,100-$1,600 range, credit minimums of 580-650. Third-party guarantee may not be needed if income is strong (3x rent).

Score landed at 550-569 (Tier 4): Options narrow to about 30-40% of the market. Second-Chance properties and older Class B/C inventory become the primary targets. Third-party guarantee usually required. Deposits run $800-$1,500.

Score landed below 550 (Tier 5): Limited to about 10-15% of the market. Second-Chance properties are the realistic option. Third-party guarantee is almost always required. Expect deposits of one month’s rent or more.

Two federal programs can help resolve the default itself:

Loan rehabilitation: The borrower makes nine on-time payments within a 10-month window (payment amount is based on discretionary income). After the ninth payment, the default status is removed from the credit report. This is the only process that actually deletes the default mark. More details are available through Federal Student Aid.

Loan consolidation: Creates a new loan that pays off the defaulted one, making the account current immediately. The catch: the default notation remains on the credit report. The benefit: it’s faster than rehabilitation and reopens access to income-driven repayment plans.

Neither process fixes the credit score overnight. But showing a leasing office documentation that you’ve enrolled in rehabilitation can make a real difference in a case-by-case review. It signals that the financial problem is being addressed.

The Approval Process for Student Loan Borrowers in San Antonio

Step 1: Know Your Actual Credit Score

Before applying anywhere, pull a current credit report. Free options include AnnualCreditReport.com (the only federally authorized source for free reports from all three bureaus) and most credit card or bank dashboards that show FICO or VantageScore.

What to look for on the report:

• Student loan account status: current, delinquent, or in default/collections
• Total student loan balance (less important for screening, useful for budgeting)
• Any delinquency markers and dates they were reported
• Other derogatory items that may compound the student loan damage

The score on the report is the score apartment screening systems will see. If it shows 572, that’s the number a leasing office runs against their approval threshold. No amount of explanation changes the automated screening result at communities that use hard cutoffs.

Step 2: Calculate Effective Income

Gross monthly income is what apartments screen against. But livable income is gross minus student loan payments, taxes, and other obligations.

Run this quick calculation:

1. Gross monthly income (before taxes): $______
2. Monthly student loan payment: $______
3. Screening qualification: Line 1 ÷ 3 = maximum rent at 3x threshold
4. Budget reality: (Line 1 − Line 2) × 0.30 = comfortable rent target

If those two numbers are far apart (say, screening qualifies for $1,500 but budget reality suggests $1,100), target the lower number. San Antonio’s current market makes this easier than in most Texas metros because rents are lower and concessions are more available.

Step 3: Match to the Right Property Class

This is where most renters waste money. They apply to properties that look good online without knowing the screening threshold. Each application fee ($50-150 per person) is non-refundable. Three rejected applications at the wrong property class can cost $300+ with nothing to show for it.

One thing that surprises most renters: Second-Chance properties don’t always mean cheaper rent. These communities accept higher-risk tenants, but they offset that risk with higher rent, higher deposits, and required third-party guarantees. A Second-Chance property might charge $1,400 for a 1BR that a Class C community with a 580 minimum charges $1,100 for. If a renter’s score is 585, targeting the Class C property first makes more financial sense.

Step 4: Prepare the Application

Every apartment application in San Antonio requires:

• Government-issued ID
• Proof of income: last 2-3 months of paystubs, offer letter, or tax returns (self-employed)
• Rental history: prior addresses and landlord contact information
• Application fee: $50-150 per adult applicant (non-refundable)

For renters with student loan credit damage, two extra documents can help during case-by-case reviews:

Student loan status documentation: If enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan or rehabilitation program, bring the enrollment confirmation. This shows the leasing team that the financial issue is being addressed. It doesn’t change the automated screening result, but it can influence a manual review.

Brief explanation letter: Two to three sentences. Factual, not emotional. Example: “My credit score dropped from 670 to 575 after my federal student loans entered collections in 2025. I’m enrolled in loan rehabilitation and have made 4 of 9 required payments. My rental history is clean and my current income is $4,200/month.” That’s it. Leasing managers read dozens of applications. They want facts, not paragraphs.

Step 5: Consider a Third-Party Guarantee if Needed

If a renter’s credit score has dropped below the threshold at their target property, a third-party guarantee service may bridge the gap. This is not a co-signer. A co-signer is an individual who signs the lease and takes on personal liability. A third-party guarantee is a corporate insurance product.

How it works:

1. The renter pays a one-time fee to a guarantee company. The two major providers operating in Texas are The Guarantors (active in 40+ states) and Leap (active in all 50 states). Not all national providers cover Texas, so confirming availability matters before applying.
2. The company underwrites the risk and issues a guarantee certificate
3. The apartment community accepts the certificate as an offset to the credit score gap
4. The renter signs the lease as the sole tenant (the guarantee is a backup, not a co-lease)

Cost: Typically 55-90% of one month’s rent, depending on the renter’s credit profile and lease terms. For a $1,300 apartment in San Antonio, expect roughly $715-$1,170 as a one-time, non-refundable upfront premium paid at lease signing.

Income requirement reduction: Using a third-party guarantee drops the income screening threshold from 3x rent to 2.5x rent at most properties. A $1,400 apartment that normally requires $4,200/month income drops to $3,500/month with a guarantee in place.

Which San Antonio property classes accept third-party guarantees:

Timeline: Standard apartment search takes 1-2 weeks. Complex situations (severely damaged credit, limited income, multiple screening issues) can take 2-3 weeks. Starting the search 30-45 days before a desired move-in date is realistic for most student loan borrowers.

Where to Look in San Antonio

San Antonio’s apartment market is firmly renter-friendly heading into 2026. Vacancy sits near 10%, rents have declined 2-3% year-over-year, and roughly half of all properties are offering concessions of 1-3 months free rent, according to local CoStar data reported by San Antonio Report. That’s the kind of market where renters with credit challenges have more negotiating power than usual. Properties need tenants, and empty units cost landlords real money every month they sit vacant.

The city’s most affordable metro status among Texas’s Big Four (San Antonio’s average rent is roughly 19% below the national average) means renters dealing with student loan credit damage can access more housing per dollar here than in any other major Texas city.

Here’s how San Antonio’s main apartment corridors break down for renters navigating credit challenges:

Medical Center area (78229, 78240): One of San Antonio’s densest apartment corridors, bounded roughly by I-10, Loop 410, Fredericksburg Road, and Wurzbach Road. The concentration of healthcare employers and USAA’s campus means high demand, but it also means high unit count, which translates to more competition among properties and better concession availability. Renters with Tier 3 or Tier 4 credit will find Class B options here in the $1,000-$1,300 range, many currently offering 1-2 months free on a 12-month lease.

Northwest / UTSA corridor (78249, 78250, 78251): Stretching along Loop 1604 from UTSA Boulevard to Hausman Road, this area is where many student loan borrowers naturally look because of proximity to the university. Newer construction means more Class A inventory with stricter screening, but the oversupply of new units has pushed concessions to 2-3 months free at some lease-up properties. Renters with credit scores above 600 can access most of this inventory. Below 580, the options thin out and shift toward the older pockets along Bandera Road and Tezel Road.

Northeast / Converse / Live Oak (78233, 78148, 78109): East of I-35 and north of Loop 410, this corridor has San Antonio’s deepest inventory of Class B and Class C properties. Rents start lower, credit screening tends to be more flexible, and several management companies here accept third-party guarantees. The area is adjacent to Randolph AFB, which drives some demand, but overall vacancy runs slightly above the city average, good for renters with room to negotiate.

South and Southeast San Antonio (78214, 78223, 78242): The lowest rent floor in the metro. This area has the highest concentration of Class C and Second-Chance properties, making it the primary target zone for renters with Tier 4 or Tier 5 credit scores. Toyota’s manufacturing plant is a major employer in this corridor. Brooks — the redeveloped former Brooks Air Force Base — is an exception with newer mixed-use development and Class A pricing, but the surrounding area remains budget-oriented.

What Apartments in San Antonio Actually Cost Right Now

San Antonio’s citywide average effective rent sits at approximately $1,246 per month as of late 2025, according to MMG Real Estate Advisors, the lowest of any major Texas metro. That number hides a wide range depending on property class:

One pattern worth noting: the gap between Class A luxury rent and Class B mid-tier rent in San Antonio has compressed to roughly $180 per month. A renter with a 620 credit score could access a 2020-built Class A apartment for only slightly more than a 2000-built Class B, assuming the Class A community’s screening threshold is 600 and concessions are applied. That “trade-up” window won’t last forever (new construction starts in San Antonio dropped 80% in 2024, which will tighten supply by late 2026), but right now it’s a real opportunity.

Net Effective Rent: What You’re Actually Paying

Advertised rent is not the real monthly cost. Many communities offer “X months free” specials, and the net effective rent formula reveals the actual average monthly cost over the lease term.

Formula: (Base Rent × Lease Term − Concession Value) ÷ Lease Term = Net Effective Rent

Example: A 1BR apartment lists at $1,300/month. The community offers 2 months free on a 12-month lease.

($1,300 × 12 − $2,600) ÷ 12 = $12,800 ÷ 12 = $1,067 net effective rent

That’s a $233/month difference from the listed price. Over a year, that’s $2,800 in savings. San Antonio Apartment Locators maintains a running list of current move-in specials across the metro.

But here’s the catch: concessions apply to Year 1 only. When the lease renews, rent returns to market rate (or higher). The $1,067 net effective apartment will likely renew at $1,300-$1,400+ in Year 2. Plan accordingly.

The Fees That Don’t Show Up in Advertised Rent

Many San Antonio communities, particularly those managed by large corporate operators, charge mandatory monthly add-ons that push the real cost well above listed rent:

• Valet trash: $25–$30/month
• Pest control: $2–$5/month
• Package/parcel service: $15–$18/month
• Technology/internet fee: $0–$60/month
• Amenity fee: $5/month
• Utility admin/billing (RUBS): $3–$10/month

These fees can total $50-$125+ per month on top of listed rent. A “$1,200/month” apartment with $90 in mandatory add-ons is actually a $1,290/month apartment. Always ask for the total monthly cost, not just the base rent, before applying.

What San Antonio Apartment Locators Can’t Help With

Honesty matters more than a sale. There are situations where a locator’s service has real limits:

Active wage garnishment reducing income below property minimums. If the Department of Education is garnishing 15% of disposable pay and the remaining income doesn’t meet 2.5x rent at any available property, the math doesn’t work. San Antonio Apartment Locators can match renters to the lowest-cost options available, but can’t override income requirements that the renter no longer meets.

Registered sex offender status. This is a hard stop at 95%+ of apartment communities regardless of credit score, income, or rental history. San Antonio Apartment Locators can’t place renters with this screening flag.

No verifiable income. Apartment communities require proof of income (paystubs, offer letters, tax returns, or bank statements). If a renter has no documentable income source, there’s nothing to match against screening thresholds.

These aren’t judgments. They’re service limitations. For renters in these situations, local resources like the San Antonio Housing Authority, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, or the Texas Attorney General’s renter’s rights guide may offer alternative pathways.

Why Work With a San Antonio Apartment Locator

The locator service is free to renters. That’s not a gimmick. It’s how the business model works.

When a renter signs a lease at an apartment community, that community pays the locator a referral fee from their marketing budget. It’s the same budget they’d spend advertising on Apartments.com or Zillow. The renter’s rent is identical whether they use a locator or apply directly. No markup, no hidden fee, no catch.

So why not just search on your own? You absolutely can. Many renters do. The value of working with a locator is specific to renters who have screening challenges, and student loan credit damage is exactly that kind of challenge.

Here’s where the math works in the renter’s favor: a locator already knows which San Antonio communities screen at which credit thresholds. Instead of paying $75 per application at three properties that will auto-decline a 565 credit score, the renter applies once at a community where 565 meets or exceeds the minimum. That’s $150+ in saved application fees, and less time, less stress, and no rejection letters.

San Antonio Apartment Locators also rebates the application fee upon approval when the renter lists the locator on their application. So the one application that does go through costs nothing out of pocket. Renters who’d rather talk through their situation directly can call 210-468-7667.

For student loan borrowers specifically, the locator value is matching the credit score (whatever it is today) to the right property class, in the right area of San Antonio, at the right price point. That’s a narrower search than most renters realize, and it’s exactly the kind of search where local knowledge matters more than scrolling listing sites.

Marlene Quade | TX Real Estate License #[number] Brokered by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC | Broker License #562021

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting with Student Loan Debt in San Antonio

Do apartments check student loan balances during screening?

No. Apartment screening systems check credit scores, rental history (via LexisNexis), income, and criminal background. Student loan balances are consumer debt. They affect credit scores but don’t appear on the rental history reports that communities use to flag property debt like broken leases or evictions. A high student loan balance with a strong credit score won’t create a screening problem.

Can I get approved for an apartment with student loans in default?

Yes, but the approval pathway depends on where the default pushed the credit score. If the score is still above 580, Class B and Class C properties in San Antonio are accessible. Below 550, Second-Chance properties with a third-party guarantee are the realistic option. Renters whose credit reports also show multiple late payments beyond the student loan default may need a more tailored matching strategy. Enrolling in loan rehabilitation and bringing documentation of that enrollment can help during case-by-case reviews at properties that do manual screening.

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

There’s no single citywide minimum. Credit requirements vary by property class. Luxury and Class A+ properties typically require 680+. Class A requires 650+. Class B ranges from 580-650. Class C and Second-Chance properties go as low as 500-580 (some Second-Chance communities accept below 500 with compensating factors like higher income or a third-party guarantee). San Antonio’s current market, with roughly 10% vacancy, means more communities are willing to review borderline applications than in tighter markets.

Does student loan debt count as property debt?

No. Property debt is money owed to a previous landlord (unpaid rent, broken lease charges, eviction judgments). Student loans are consumer debt. They are not tracked through LexisNexis rental history reports and don’t trigger the auto-decline that property debt causes at 99%+ of communities. Student loans affect apartment applications only through their impact on credit scores.

Which San Antonio areas have the most options for renters with credit challenges?

The Northeast corridor (Converse, Live Oak, zip codes 78233, 78148, 78109) and South/Southeast San Antonio (78214, 78223, 78242) have the highest concentrations of Class B, Class C, and Second-Chance properties with lower credit thresholds. The Medical Center area (78229, 78240) also has deep inventory across multiple property classes. Renters with scores above 580 have options in most parts of the city.

Are there apartments near UTSA that accept lower credit scores?

The UTSA/La Cantera corridor (78249, 78250, 78251) is Class A-heavy with stricter screening, but older pockets along Bandera Road and Tezel Road include Class B and C inventory with lower minimums. Several student-oriented communities near UTSA are familiar with borrowers whose income comes partly from student aid, but credit score thresholds still apply. Renters with scores below 580 may need to look slightly outside the immediate UTSA corridor.

How long does it take to find an apartment with credit damage from student loans?

Standard timeline is 1-2 weeks for renters with scores above 580 and verifiable income. For renters below 550 who need a third-party guarantee, expect 2-3 weeks. The third-party underwriting process adds a few days. Starting the search 30-45 days before a desired move-in date is a safe window.

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

A third-party guarantee is a corporate insurance product (not a personal co-signer) that guarantees rent payment to the apartment community. The two major providers active in Texas are The Guarantors and Leap. The typical cost is 55-90% of one month’s rent, paid as a one-time upfront non-refundable premium at lease signing. For most San Antonio apartments in the student-loan-borrower price range, that works out to roughly $600-$1,200. Using a guarantee also drops the income screening requirement from 3x rent to 2.5x rent at most communities.

Should I rehabilitate my student loan before applying for an apartment?

If timing allows, yes, but rehabilitation takes 9 on-time payments over 10 months, so it’s not a short-term fix. If you need housing now, focus on matching your current credit score to the right property class. You can rehabilitate the loan while you’re living in the apartment. Bringing proof of rehabilitation enrollment to a leasing office can help with case-by-case reviews, even if the program isn’t complete yet.

How does a free apartment locator work?

The renter pays nothing. San Antonio Apartment Locators earns a referral fee from the apartment community’s marketing budget when the renter signs a lease. Rent is the same whether the renter uses a locator or applies directly. The locator’s value for student loan borrowers is matching the renter’s current credit score and income to properties with compatible screening thresholds, avoiding wasted application fees at communities that would auto-decline.

What documents do I need to apply for a San Antonio apartment?

Standard requirements: government-issued ID, proof of income (last 2-3 months of paystubs or offer letter; tax returns for self-employed), and rental history (prior addresses and landlord contacts). Application fees run $50-150 per adult applicant and are non-refundable. For student loan borrowers with credit damage, bringing documentation of enrollment in a rehabilitation or income-driven repayment plan can support case-by-case reviews.

Get Help Finding a San Antonio Apartment

San Antonio Apartment Locators works with renters navigating credit damage from student loan delinquency and default, matching current credit profiles to communities with compatible screening thresholds across San Antonio’s apartment market. Submit a request here or use the intake form below.

Call directly: 210-468-7667

After the form is submitted, San Antonio Apartment Locators reviews the information and typically responds within 24-48 hours with matched community options based on the renter’s specific credit profile, income, and preferred area. No obligation, no cost.

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.

Screening criteria vary by community and change over time. The thresholds in this guide reflect general market patterns as of early 2026. Verify current requirements directly with any property before applying. Rent ranges based on market data current through late 2025. Actual pricing subject to change.

Marlene Quade | TX Real Estate License #[number] | Brokered by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC | Broker License #562021