How To Get Approved For A Nashville Apartment In 2026

A complete guide to income, rental history, credit requirements, background checks, and move in costs

If you're planning to move to Nashville in 2026, December is the perfect month to get your application ready. Most renters focus on location, amenities, and the vibe of the neighborhood. But the biggest question is this:

Will the property actually approve your application?

Professionally managed apartment communities in Nashville screen applicants through four main categories. Understanding how each screening category works can save you from denials, wasted fees, and spending your time touring options you simply don’t qualify for.

This guide breaks down the four screening categories that Nashville apartments use, along with what you can do now to make sure you're ready when the time comes.

Proof of Income: The First Requirement Every Nashville Apartment Checks

Income is the first filter almost every Nashville apartment uses. Most communities follow the same standard:

Your gross monthly income should be at least three times the market rent.

If the market rent on a one bedroom is $2,000, the community usually expects around $6,000 per month before taxes. This calculation is based on the market rent, not your net effective rent after specials.

What counts as proof of income:

Most properties accept:

• Recent pay stubs

• Offer letters for upcoming full time jobs

• Two years of tax returns if you're self employed

• Bank statements showing consistent deposits

• Certain long term benefits or fixed income

If you don’t meet the income requirement on your own, you may be able to use a co-signer or guarantor. Most Nashville communities require the guarantor to earn five times the monthly rent and meet all screening standards.

It’s also important to understand that properties evaluate total household income, not just individual income. This means getting a roommate is one of the easiest ways to qualify. As long as your combined gross monthly income is three times the market rent, the household typically qualifies.

Rental History: The Category That Creates The Most Automatic Denials

Rental history is one of the strictest screening categories. Even strong income and good credit can’t override certain rental history issues. This is the category where most renters get denied without realizing why.

The issues that cause automatic or near-automatic denials at most Nashville properties:

Property debt
This can be one of the biggest deal breakers. Property debt includes:

• Unpaid rent

• Damages billed after move-out

• Fees or balances for breaking a lease

• Eviction-related balances

• Unpaid utilities tied to a previous lease

• Any balance placed in collections by a former apartment community

Even a small balance in collections from a past lease can stop your application everywhere. Screening systems typically auto deny applicants with property debt, no matter your current income or credit score.

Evictions
Evictions are extremely difficult to work around. Most Nashville properties will deny:

• Any recent eviction

• Any open eviction

• Any eviction balance that hasn’t been fully paid

• Even older evictions unless the debt is paid and several years have passed

Documented lease violations
Some communities check for prior issues such as:

• Repeated late payments

• Pet violations

• Unauthorized occupants

• Noise complaints

• HOA violations if you lived in a condo community

These issues don’t always lead to denial, but they often result in higher deposits or conditional approvals.

When Rental History Feels Unfair

A lot of renters have what they feel is a good reason for something negative on their rental history. Maybe you were held responsible for a roommate’s violation, treated unfairly by a property, broke a lease for reasons you felt were justified, or believe you shouldn’t owe the money a community sent to collections.

Those situations might be completely valid. But here’s the reality that matters during screening:

If it’s on your record, it’s on your record.
Screening systems judge the balance or violation itself, not the story behind it.

If you want to move forward and get approved for the apartment you want, the best path is to swallow your pride, pay off anything you owe, and give it enough time to update on your reports. Many renters refuse to pay because of principle, which is understandable, but it limits your options.

Pay it off, get it behind you, and get the apartment you want.

Credit: The Number Matters, And Certain Issues Override The Score

Your credit score matters. Most Nashville communities have a minimum score required to pass their screening system. Some buildings are more flexible or credit friendly, but the number still plays a major role.

Common credit score expectations in Nashville:

• Mid to high-600s and above are preferred in newer or luxury buildings.

• Low to mid-600s may qualify at more flexible communities.

• Scores in the 500s are more challenging, will limit your options to credit-friendly properties, and result in a higher deposit.

• Scores under 500 are hard to get approved anywhere.

Even if a community is credit-friendly, certain credit issues will cause denials almost everywhere.

Credit issues that override your score, even if the number looks fine:

Property debt
If you owe money to a previous apartment, your credit score doesn’t matter. Most screening systems auto-deny the application.

Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies are possible to work with only if:

• The bankruptcy is fully discharged

• It’s usually at least two to three years old

• You can show a stable income after the discharge

• You haven’t had recent negative credit activity

An open bankruptcy or one discharged recently is almost always an automatic denial.

Apartment or utility collections
Even small collections from a previous apartment, electric, water, or gas tied to old leases, or internet or cable tied to your previous unit, can cause an automatic decline at many properties.

The bottom line:
Your credit score matters. The details behind it matter. And some issues can’t be ignored at any property.

Background Screening: The Final Step Before Approval

Background checks are the last major part of the application. Every community sets specific standards, but most screenings look at:

• Felony convictions

• Violent offenses

• Certain drug related offenses

• Sex offender registry entries

Some portfolios review older offenses on a case by case basis. Others follow strict rules with no exceptions.

If background screening is a concern, it’s best to talk through your situation before paying application fees.

Move In Costs: What You Should Expect To Pay

Most renters underestimate move in costs, especially because several of them are due at the time you apply, not at move in. When you submit an application, the property charges certain fees to take the unit off the market and reserve it for your move in date so nobody else can lease it while your screening is being processed.

Here’s what to expect:

Application fee
This is paid per applicant and is usually $50 to $100 per person. It’s non-refundable because it covers the cost of running your screening.

Admin fee
This is a one time fee, typically $150 to $300, and is also due at the time of application. This is what officially reserves the unit for you while they complete your background, rental history, income, and credit checks.

Security deposit
Your deposit amount depends entirely on your screening results.

• If you meet the property’s standards, deposits are often $250 to $500.

• If you’re approved with conditions, the deposit can be as high as one full month of rent.

First month’s rent
Your first month’s rent is usually prorated based on the day you move in. The later in the month you move in, the more important it is to understand how your property handles prorated rent.

For example, if you move in on December 27, you might owe:

• the prorated amount for December

• plus the full rent for January at the same time

Some properties handle this differently and only require the prorated amount for your move in month, with the next full month’s rent due on the first. Always check how the specific community structures this.

Pet fees and pet rent
Pet fees are typically a one time payment up to $500, depending on the property. Many communities also charge monthly pet rent.

Move in costs add up quickly, so planning for these ahead of time helps make the leasing process smoother and avoids surprises.

What To Do In December If You Want To Move In 2026

Here are the most helpful steps you can take now:

• Gather your pay stubs, offer letters, and tax documents, and figure out what you can actually afford. Don’t waste time touring apartments your income can’t qualify for. If you plan to increase your income, do that before you start looking. Pricing and availability change daily, so it’s a waste of time to tour until you’re ready to apply.

• Know your credit score. If it needs improvement, start working on it now. A few months of progress can make a big difference by the time you apply.

• Find out if you have any property debt and pay it off as soon as possible. This is one of the biggest reasons renters get denied. Get it cleared now so it has time to update on your reports.

• Understand that credit and rental history updates take time. Collections, paid balances, and updated information don’t show up instantly. The sooner you start improving your situation, the better positioned you’ll be when you begin your search.

Preparing early prevents wasted time, wasted fees, and frustration once you start touring.

How We Help Nashville Renters Move With Confidence

Kayla and I work with professionally managed apartment communities across Nashville every day. We stay on top of pricing, specials, availability, and screening standards so you can make clear, confident decisions without wasting time.

Working with us, at no cost to you, helps you:

• Focus on the communities that match your budget, timing, and lifestyle

• Understand what to expect for move in costs and approval requirements

• Make a smooth transition if you’re relocating, starting a new job, or planning ahead

• Tour with clarity instead of guessing which places fit what you’re looking for

If you’re planning a move in 2026, we’d love to help you get everything lined up so the process is simple once you start touring.

Reach out anytime and let us know your timeline. We’ll walk you through the next steps.