# Security Deposit Alternatives in Texas and Guarantors > Security deposit alternatives in Texas: a monthly fee in lieu of a deposit, a surety plan, a guarantor or a bigger deposit. Here's when each one makes sense. URL: https://apartmentlocatordallas.com/guide/deposit-alternatives-guarantors-low-credit/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-12 Decision guide # Security Deposit Alternatives in Texas, and When a Guarantor Helps Security deposit alternatives in Texas include a monthly fee in place of a deposit, a surety plan or a guarantor. With low credit in Dallas, one of these or a higher deposit can make your application work. Here's when each applies and what to send us. Published August 2, 2026 3 min read ## Three paths, different costs When credit is the problem and income isn't, properties usually offer one of three routes. They aren't the same, and which one you can use depends on the property. It's a detail bad credit locating [/bad-credit-accepted/ →](/bad-credit-accepted/) tracks. If your problem is a low score rather than no credit history at all, start with renting on a 580 credit score [/guide/renting-on-a-580-credit-score/ →](/guide/renting-on-a-580-credit-score/) . | Path | Upfront cost | Refundable | Who carries the risk | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Higher deposit | Highest | Yes, minus any damage | You | | Deposit alternative (surety) | Lowest | No | The provider, then you | | Guarantor | The guarantor's application fee | Nothing to refund | Your guarantor | ## Higher deposit The simplest. The property asks for a bigger deposit, usually 1.5x or 2x the standard one, and sometimes an extra full month’s rent. It costs the most at move-in, and it's the only one you get back. If you have the cash and plan to leave the unit in good shape, it usually costs less in the end than a deposit alternative. ## Deposit alternative A surety bond, a product you buy that covers the property, not you. You pay a smaller amount upfront or a monthly fee. If you stop paying rent or leave damage, the provider pays the property up to a set limit. Two things to be clear about. It isn't a deposit, and none of it comes back. It doesn't limit what you owe, either: if there's damage, the provider pays the property and then comes after you for it. Cheapest at move-in, most expensive if you stay a long time. Add up the monthly fee over the whole lease before you pick it for the convenience. ## Guarantor Someone who signs the lease and agrees to pay if you don't. Each property sets its own rules. The common ones: - Income at **4x or 5x** the rent, which is higher than what you need as the renter - A credit score above a set minimum - Sometimes a **rule that they live in Texas**, which catches a lot of people off guard when their guarantor lives out of state - A full application and screening, with its own fee Your guarantor is signing up for real money if things go wrong. They should read the guaranty itself, not just sign the page. > **Not every property accepts one** > > Each property decides whether to allow a guarantor. Lining one up before you know the property takes guarantors is a common waste of time. It's one of the first things we look into. ## Which to choose **You have the cash, you plan to stay, and you'll leave the place clean.** Higher deposit. You get it back. **Cash tight at move-in.** Deposit alternative, but add up what it costs over the whole lease first. **No cash, but someone who qualifies and will sign.** Guarantor, as long as the property accepts one and your guarantor earns enough. **Two or more available.** We ask which one the property prefers. Some will lower the deposit if a guarantor is on the file. ## What to send us Your gross monthly income, target rent, and rough credit range. Tell us if you have a guarantor and roughly what they earn, and how much cash you can put down upfront. We narrow it to properties whose written rules fit the path that works for you, and note each one's income multiple and deposit terms. Then work out the total monthly cost [/true-monthly-cost/ →](/true-monthly-cost/) of the one you like. Matching you to the rules is the heart of bad credit locating [/bad-credit-accepted/ →](/bad-credit-accepted/) . Tell us your situation. [/get-my-list/ →](/get-my-list/) We pass along what properties have told us they ask for, and we never promise approval. Answers ## Questions about this Can a guarantor help me rent with low credit in Dallas? At properties that accept guarantors, yes. The guarantor usually needs to earn more than you would, often 4x or 5x the rent, and some properties want them to live in Texas. What is a deposit alternative? It's a surety bond or a plan like it that some properties take instead of a cash deposit. You pay either a smaller amount upfront or a monthly fee. You don't get it back like a deposit. Which is better, a guarantor or a higher deposit? You can get a higher deposit back, so it costs you nothing if you leave the unit in good shape. A guarantor costs only an application fee upfront but puts someone else on the hook. With a surety product, you pay the least upfront and get none of it back. ## Learn more about Bad Credit Low scores, little or no credit history, collections, charge-offs, bankruptcy: matched to properties that accept them. Renters pay nothing for the search. Read the Bad Credit page [/bad-credit-accepted/ →](/bad-credit-accepted/) Get My List [/get-my-list/ →](/get-my-list/)