Minors Renting in Texas

[HelenGraceH]

As a 16 year old living in Texas, am I able to live in an apartment alone if my parent co-signs the lease and consents, and would this be affected by me having a child?

 

[doucar]

No.

 

[adjusterjack]

As a 16 year old living in Texas, am I able to live in an apartment alone if my parent co-signs the lease and consents

I think that would be up to the landlord.

As a former landlord I would want the parents to rent the unit, pay the rent, and take full responsibility for anything that happens just as if they were living there. Your name would appear on the lease as an occupant but not as a lessee because, as a minor, you could disavow the contract.

would this be affected by me having a child?

Can't see what difference it would make in my scenario.

Why? Are you pregnant?

 

[cbg]

As a landlord I wouldn't likely rent to a minor at all, but I'd be even less likely to rent to one with a child.

In case this is what you're thinking, having a child does not emancipate you and it does not make you a legal adult - it makes you a minor with a baby. You achieve medical emancipation upon pregnancy, meaning that with the help of your doctor, you are able to make your own decisions about your health care and that of your baby. It does not provide legal emancipation and it fact means what very little chance of legal emancipation you may have had just had the door slammed in its face.

So the answer to your question is, Only if both your parents give permission AND the landlord is willing to agree to it. It is NOT a right granted to you by law; it is a privilege granted to you by your parents and the landlord.

 

[Zigner]

...as a minor, you could disavow the contract.

Are you sure that holds true in Texas for housing contracts?

 

[quincy]

I rent to students in a college town. A significant number of the students are 17 and I have rented to 16-year-old high school graduates in the past who are enrolled in college.

Every minor I rent to needs to have an adult cosigner on the lease.

Although not every landlord will rent to minors, the circumstances and all facts matter.

That said, I would be reluctant to rent to a 16 year old as a single occupant of the rental, with or without a baby.

 

[Zigner]

I agree - and my question to adjusterjack wasn't mean to imply otherwise. Any LL would be monumentally stupid to rent to a minor, even with a non-resident consignor (in my opinion).