Before applying for a rental with DFW Rent Houses, it’s important to understand our application requirements. We’re committed to placing qualified, responsible tenants in homes throughout Arlington, TX, as well as Mansfield, Grand Prairie, and the surrounding areas. To ensure a smooth process for all applicants, we follow a consistent and fair screening process that complies with all applicable housing laws.
Whether you’re applying alone or with other household members, this page will walk you through what we look for and what you need to submit with your application.
Equal Housing Opportunity
DFW Rent Houses is proud to be an Equal Housing Opportunity provider. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
Our screening process is fair, consistent, and based on objective criteria to ensure every applicant is evaluated equally.
Who Needs to Apply
Each adult (18 years or older) who will be living in the property must submit a separate rental application and pay the non-refundable application fee. Applications are reviewed individually but considered together for household approval.
All applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and complete the application in full to be considered.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee is required for each adult applicant. This fee covers the cost of:
- Credit report
- Background check
- Eviction history search
- Income and employment verification
- Rental history review
Incomplete applications or applications without payment will not be processed.
Income Requirements
We require that applicants have a verifiable gross monthly income of at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent. This helps ensure that you can comfortably afford the home without financial strain.
Acceptable proof of income includes:
- Recent pay stubs (last 30 days)
- Bank statements showing regular income deposits
- Offer letter or contract for a new job
- Tax returns (for self-employed applicants)
- Government or retirement benefits letters
If multiple applicants are applying together, their incomes may be combined to meet the requirement.
Credit History
We conduct a credit check on every applicant to assess financial responsibility. While we do not require perfect credit, we look for a pattern of responsible payment behavior.
Negative credit history that may result in denial includes:
- Open bankruptcies
- Accounts in collections for housing-related debt (such as unpaid rent or utility bills)
- History of repeated late payments
- Judgments or liens related to housing or evictions
If you have limited credit history, we may request additional documentation or a co-signer depending on the property and circumstances.
Rental History
A stable and positive rental history is an important factor in our screening process. We verify past rental experiences with current and previous landlords.
We may deny an application for:
- Prior evictions
- Unpaid rent or damages to a previous rental
- Repeated lease violations or complaints
- Early lease terminations without proper notice
Applicants who have not rented before may still qualify with strong income, credit, and references, or with a co-signer.
Background Check
We conduct a criminal background check on all applicants. Convictions for certain crimes may result in denial, particularly those involving:
- Violence
- Drugs
- Property damage
- Fraud or theft
- Sex offenses
We follow Fair Housing and HUD guidelines when reviewing criminal history. If you have concerns, you’re welcome to submit a written explanation for consideration.
Pet Policy and Animal Screening
If the property allows pets, applicants must submit pet information and photos as part of the application. A pet screening process may be required and additional pet deposits or monthly pet rent may apply.
For assistance animals, proper documentation must be submitted. These are reviewed separately from our standard pet policy in compliance with Fair Housing laws.
Occupancy Limits
We follow local occupancy standards, which typically limit the number of occupants to two persons per bedroom, plus one additional person. For example:
- 1-bedroom unit = maximum of 3 occupants
- 2-bedroom unit = maximum of 5 occupants
- 3-bedroom unit = maximum of 7 occupants
These limits help ensure safe, healthy living conditions and compliance with city regulations.
Co-Signers and Guarantors
In some cases, a co-signer (also known as a guarantor) may be accepted. Co-signers must meet the same income and credit requirements and will be legally responsible for the lease.
A co-signer may be considered if:
- You have limited or no rental history
- Your income is slightly below our standard requirement
- Your credit score is low due to limited credit, not poor financial behavior
We’ll let you know during the screening process if a co-signer is needed or allowed for the property you’re applying for.
Application Timing and Hold Policy
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received and must be fully completed to be considered. If more than one qualified applicant applies for the same home, we may approve the most qualified applicant or select based on earliest completion.
If your application is approved, we will request:
- Signed lease agreement
- Security deposit payment
- Confirmation of move-in date
A home is not officially reserved until all these steps are completed. We recommend acting promptly once approved to avoid losing the property to another applicant.
Questions About Applying?
We’re here to help. If you have questions about our application requirements, pet policies, or how to improve your chances of approval, don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can contact our team directly, or visit the [How to Apply] page for a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.
Ready to apply? View our [available rentals] and start your application online today. We look forward to helping you find your next home with DFW Rent Houses.
