At 19, you can legally sign a lease almost anywhere in the United States, so the real question in how to get an apartment at 19 isn’t whether you’re allowed to rent but whether a landlord will approve you. The obstacles at this age are practical: thin credit history, limited income, and no rental track record. Knowing what landlords actually screen for, and how to compensate for the gaps, is what gets you the keys.
You Can Legally Sign a Lease
Most states set the age of majority at 18, which means a 19-year-old has full authority to enter a binding contract, including a residential lease. A landlord cannot void the lease because the tenant is young. Two states set the age of majority at 19 and one sets it at 21, but the state with the higher age has a specific statute allowing anyone 18 or older to lease real property as a personal residence. The upshot: a 19-year-old can rent an apartment anywhere in the country.
What Landlords Screen For
Income
The common benchmark is the “three times rent” rule. Your gross monthly income should be at least three times the monthly rent, so a $1,200 apartment generally requires roughly $3,600 a month in earnings. Some landlords in competitive markets apply a 40-times-monthly-rent annual standard, which works out to the same ratio. If you work part-time or your income is irregular, landlords may ask for a larger deposit or a guarantor rather than reject you outright.
Credit
Many landlords look for a credit score of at least 600, though thresholds vary. At 19 you may not have a score at all. That’s different from a bad score, but it still complicates applications. A few months with a secured credit card, or being added as an authorized user on a parent’s account, can build enough of a file for a basic score. Some landlords will accept applicants with no credit history if income is strong or a guarantor is in place.
Rental and Background History
Prior evictions are the biggest red flag in tenant screening. With no rental history, you don’t have that problem. Criminal background checks are standard, and landlords vary widely in what they consider disqualifying. A clean record removes the question entirely.
Documents to Have Ready
Pulling your paperwork together before you tour saves time and signals that you’re organized. Most applications ask for:
- Government-issued photo ID: driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. passport.
- Proof of income: pay stubs from the most recent 30 to 60 days. For self-employed or freelance income, bank statements and tax returns carry the weight.
- Tax documents: a W-2 or 1099 from the prior year.
- Bank statements: two to three months showing enough to cover move-in without draining the account.
- References: a current or previous employer and one or two personal references who aren’t family.
Fill every field accurately. Landlords cross-check what you write against the documents you submit, and discrepancies can trigger an automatic denial even when the numbers are otherwise fine.
The Cash You Need Up Front
The total cash required before move-in is almost always more than first-time renters expect. Plan for:
- Security deposit: roughly 10 states cap deposits at one month’s rent, another 10 cap at two months, and the rest either have no cap or set it higher. Expect one to two months in most markets.
- First month’s rent, due at signing. Some landlords also require last month’s rent up front, which effectively triples the initial outlay.
- Application fee: $20 to $100, non-refundable. The national average is around $50, and a handful of states cap these fees by law.
- Administrative or move-in fee: some properties charge a separate processing fee of $150 to $250.
For a $1,200 apartment with a one-month deposit and first month’s rent, you need at least $2,500 before buying any furniture. If last month’s rent is also required, that climbs to $3,700 or more. Having this money visible in your bank statements strengthens your application before the landlord even gets to the income section.
How to Compensate for Thin Credit or Income
If your numbers fall short, you have options.
A guarantor (sometimes called a co-signer) agrees to cover rent and lease obligations if you don’t pay. Landlords hold them to a higher standard than the primary tenant: typically annual income of 40 to 80 times monthly rent and a credit score of 700 or above. For a $1,500 apartment, that means $60,000 to $120,000 a year. The guarantor signs a separate agreement making them responsible for the full lease amount, not just the shortfall. Parents are the most common choice for 19-year-olds.
If no family member qualifies or is willing, surety bond services are an alternative. You pay a fee, usually 17 to 20 percent of the annual rent, and the bond company guarantees payment to the landlord if you default. On a $1,500 apartment, that’s $3,000 to $3,600 for a year of coverage, and unlike a security deposit the money doesn’t come back.
Some landlords will accept a larger security deposit instead of a guarantor, and some will take a few months of rent paid up front if you have savings. Both are worth asking about before you assume a guarantor is required. Applying in winter, when demand drops and vacancies rise, gives you more leverage than competing in the summer rush.
Signing a Lease With Roommates
Splitting rent makes apartments affordable, but almost every multi-tenant lease includes a joint-and-several-liability clause. Each person on the lease is individually responsible for the full rent, not just their share. If a roommate stops paying or moves out, the landlord can come after you for the entire amount. They don’t have to chase the person who defaulted first.
A separate roommate agreement doesn’t change what you owe the landlord, but it creates an enforceable arrangement between you and the people you live with. At minimum, put in writing how rent is split, who pays which utilities, what happens to the security deposit if someone leaves early, and how much notice is required to move out. Everyone signs. Without it, you have no recourse against a roommate who sticks you with their share.
If You Get Denied
Federal law gives you specific protections if a landlord rejects you. If the denial is based in whole or in part on information in a consumer report, the landlord must provide an adverse action notice. That notice must include the name, address, and phone number of the screening company, a statement that the screening company did not make the decision, your right to request a free copy of the report within 60 days, and your right to dispute inaccurate information.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1681m – Requirements on Users of Consumer Reports A flat “you’re denied” with no explanation and no notice likely violates federal law.
The Fair Housing Act separately makes it illegal to refuse to rent to you because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 3604 – Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Housing and Other Prohibited Practices Age is not a federally protected class in housing, so a landlord can legally set income or credit thresholds that fall harder on younger applicants. If you suspect discrimination on a protected ground, you can file a complaint with HUD online or by calling 1-800-669-9777.3U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Report Housing Discrimination
If you’re denied, read the adverse action notice. It points to the specific issue, whether income, credit, or background. Fix what you can and apply again. A denial with a clear reason is a roadmap.
Renter’s Insurance and Breaking a Lease
Many landlords now require renter’s insurance as a condition of the lease, with minimum liability coverage typically between $100,000 and $300,000. Even when it isn’t required, it’s worth getting. The landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your belongings. A basic policy with $15,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability runs about $13 a month; raising personal property coverage to $30,000 brings the average to roughly $17.
If you have to leave before the lease ends, expect to pay. Most leases include a break fee of one to two months’ rent, and the total cost can reach two to four months’ rent once lost deposits and fees are factored in. Read the early termination clause before you sign so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to. In most states landlords have a legal duty to mitigate damages, meaning they must make a reasonable effort to find a replacement tenant rather than let unpaid rent pile up. Once a new tenant moves in, your obligation stops.