In the state of Texas, getting a landlord license is not required. However, many of the local jurisdictions may require a license, so it is best to check first.
Renting, especially on a short-term basis, can sometimes come with higher monthly costs due to the increased flexibility it offers the landlord. For instance, a studio apartment for rent on a month-to-month basis might be more expensive per month than the same apartment under a lease agreement.
Renting an apartment isn't as easy as waltzing in and saying “I'll take it!”—particularly in today's competitive rental market. With many prospective tenants to choose from, landlords can be picky, and they will prioritize applicants with a track record of paying off debts and respecting their neighbors and community.
Clearly state why you're writing the letter and why the property owner should continue reading. Include the property's address and let the landlord know that you're interested in leasing it under specific terms. Then go over your terms and include the non-binding clause.
From January 2023 through September 2024, they noted that Houston rents had ticked up by an average of +. 2%. But in that same time frame, they saw average rent decreases of -1.2% for the Dallas metro, -2.4% in the San Antonio area, and a more substantial -8.1% in the Austin market.
Renting, especially on a short-term basis, can sometimes come with higher monthly costs due to the increased flexibility it offers the landlord. For instance, a studio apartment for rent on a month-to-month basis might be more expensive per month than the same apartment under a lease agreement.
At the start of 2024, falling rents in the South and rising prices in the Midwest and Northeast showed the stark contrast between these regions. Nearly a year later, this trend remains firmly in place. Southern cities like Austin and San Antonio are consistently leading cities with the sharpest declines.
In the Dallas area, renters need to make $53,040 annually — or $25.50 per hour working full time — in order to afford one-bedroom apartment, the report concludes. Workers earning minimum wage would have to work 141 hours each week to afford a modest one-bedroom in the Dallas area.
You can find 6-month lease apartments through rental websites, like ApartmentGuide, real estate apps like Redfin, or by contacting local property management companies. Some landlords may be open to negotiating a shorter lease term, even if it's not advertised, so it's worth asking.
How much has average rent changed in Dallas, TX? In the past year, rent has decreased by 1.8%, which averages out to $25 less per month.