How to Get Your Lights On When Credit's Not Great in TX

Texas has over a dozen no credit check light companies that don’t require a deposit — and different companies have different credit thresholds, so a $400 deposit at one company could be $0 at another. Think of them as second chance light companies. If your credit isn’t perfect, you still have real, affordable options. Several of them, actually.

Texas has a deregulated light market. That means dozens of light companies compete for your business, and they don’t all have the same rules about credit. What gets you rejected at one light company no credit check might be totally fine at another.

Option 1: Compare Multiple Light Companies

Every post-paid light company runs a credit check. That’s just how it works. But here’s what most people don’t realize: different companies have different thresholds. One company might want a $400 deposit from you while another company approves you with $0 down.

That’s exactly why we built this site. We check multiple providers at once so you can find the one that says yes — no deposit, no down payment. It takes about 60 seconds.

Option 2: Prepaid Plans

A prepaid light company works like a prepaid phone. You add money to your account, use it until it runs out, then add more. No credit check. No deposit. No down payment. No long-term contract. Prepaid is basically guaranteed approval — if you can pay the startup balance, you’re in. It’s the most reliable second chance option in Texas.

The trade-off is that prepaid rates tend to be higher than traditional plans. But if the alternative is a $300-$400 deposit you don’t have right now, prepaid gets your lights on today.

What to know about prepaid:

You pay before you use, not after
If your balance hits zero, your lights can get cut off
There’s no early termination fee since there’s no contract
Many prepaid light companies offer same-day lights
Works great for apartments — no lease length requirements

Option 3: Deposit Waivers and Payment Plans

Some light companies offer deposit alternatives. These can include:

Letter of credit from a previous light company showing 12 months of on-time payments (required under PUCT §25.24)
Deposit payment plans that let you spread the deposit over several bills
Lower deposit tiers for borderline credit scores

Not every light company offers these, and the rules change. But it’s worth asking.

Option 4: Get Service Through an Authorized Representative

If someone in your household has better credit, they can put the account in their name. This is completely legal and common. The person on the account is responsible for the bills, so make sure you’re both clear on that.

What Actually Happens When Your Credit’s Not Great

When you try to sign up with a post-paid light company, they run a soft credit check. Based on your score, one of three things happens:

Approved with no deposit - Your credit is good enough for that company, no money down
Approved with a deposit - They’ll serve you, but want $200-$400 upfront as security
Denied - Some companies won’t serve very low credit scores at all

The key word is “that company.” Another provider might put you in category 1 or 2 instead. That’s why comparing matters.

The Bottom Line

Rough credit makes getting lights harder, but not impossible. Whether you’re in a house or an apartment, there’s a path forward. Here’s the fastest one:

Try comparing providers first. You might get approved with no deposit somewhere.
If that doesn’t work, go prepaid. You’ll get lights on today, no questions asked.
Build your payment history. After 12 months of on-time payments, you can switch to a cheaper traditional plan with a letter of credit.

You don’t need perfect credit to keep your lights on. You just need to know your options — and in Texas, there’s always a second chance.

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For official rules, visit the Public Utility Commission of Texas. NoDepositLights.com is powered by Compare Power (PUCT License BR190020).