Free Texas Rental Application Form

A Texas Residential Rental Application is used by landlords to determine the reliability of prospective renters. This legal form helps you to understand whether the tenant will be able to pay rent in a timely manner.

The document is also known as a “tenant application,” “rental lease application,” “lease application,” or an “application for rental property”. Each renter over 18 that will occupy the residence must complete their own individual tenant form. 

It generally requires the applicant to include relevant information such as their personal background and employment history. And if the landlord deems the applicant to be a valid renter, the rental process will most likely move forward.

Before starting your own Texas rental application, it’s helpful to review a sample professional template. This will give you a better idea of what the form will look like and what information it should include.

There are two main types of rental applications in Texas. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used. 

Standard/General Texas Rental Application

The most common type of vetting document used by TX landlords is the Texas Standard Rental Application. This form can be customized according to the specific necessities of the property owner or manager. 

Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application

Landlords of low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing should use a HUD rental application. It is specifically designed to only include information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules.

When writing a Texas Rental Application Form, you’ll need to ask for a variety of important data to ensure an effective screening process before signing a contract with the tenant:

• Name and address 

• Rental history

• Employment details

• Income information

• Credit history

• Personal references

• Permission for background checks

Additionally, as a landlord, you must provide crucial disclosures on the application form. This generally includes:

• The property’s condition

• Potential hazards to the tenant

• Shared utility arrangements

• Rent control rules

• Smoking policy

• The security deposit

• Associated fees

Texas state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with Texas law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences. 

The following Texas application laws are in effect regarding the application screening process:

Application Fee

This law states that there is no limit in terms of what application fee can be charged by Texas landlords. Furthermore, the application fee is non-refundable regardless of its amount.

Security Deposit

Similar to the application fee law, there is no Texas statute defining a limit on the amount landlords can charge tenants for security deposits. There is also no requirement for the provision of receipts or holding requirements. However, the landlord is obligated to keep valid records of any security deposits they are sent. 

Housing Dismicination Law

In Texas, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place. The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics: 

• Race

• Color

• Nationality

• Religion

• Sex

• Familial status

• Disability

• Criminal history

As a consequence, it is not allowed to ask for any of these terms on a Texas Rental Application form nor to include them in the decision-making process. 

Notice of Eligibility

Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it. 

Consent Credit Check

Within Texas, a federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

There are various other legal documents that landlords must take into account when considering new tenants. Get expert guidance on preparing other personalized property forms with our other free printable templates for the following legal forms: 

Residential Lease Agreement

A Texas Residential Lease Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of a tenancy in a residential rental property. It establishes the rights and duties of both the renter and the landlord. It can be used for numerous types of properties, including 

Eviction Notice

When a tenant is in violation of their lease agreement, a Texas Eviction Notice must be used to inform them of the breach. There are three main types of TX eviction forms: 

• A 3-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Payment) is used when a tenant has not paid their rent in time. This eviction notice means that they must pay rent or quit within 72 hours. 

• When a tenant has breached the lease agreement a 3-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Compliance). This notice usually gives a tenant 3 days to correct the violation or they will be obliged to leave.

Landlords with tenants on month-to-month rental agreements can end the tenancy without cause. In this situation, a 30-Day Eviction Notice must be given to inform the tenant that they must leave within 30 days of receiving the notice.