No Deposit Lights for Apartments in Texas

Texas apartment renters can skip the $200-$400 light deposit entirely — either by comparing light companies (different ones have different credit thresholds) or by going prepaid for $40-$75 with no credit check. Moving into an apartment comes with a surprise most people aren’t ready for: you probably need to set up your own light service, and a deposit might be standing in the way.

Here’s how to navigate it.

First: Does Your Apartment Even Let You Choose?

Not every apartment in Texas lets you pick your own light company. Before you do anything else, figure out which situation you’re in:

Situation 1: You choose your own light company

This is the most common setup in deregulated Texas areas (Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, most of the state). Your apartment has its own meter, and you set up service in your name. You pick the company, you get the bill.

Situation 2: All-bills-paid apartment

Your rent includes lights. You don’t set up a separate account. This is simpler but usually means higher rent — and you have zero control over the rate.

Situation 3: Master-metered or sub-metered

The apartment complex has one master account. They buy the power, then distribute costs to tenants. You don’t choose a company, and you can’t negotiate a rate. Texas law (PUCT §25.28) says they can’t charge you more than the average residential rate in your area.

If you’re in Situation 1, keep reading. That’s where the deposit question comes in.

Why Apartments Are Trickier Than Houses

When you move into an apartment, light companies see higher risk:

Shorter tenancy — Apartment leases are typically 12 months. Light companies prefer long-term customers.
Higher turnover addresses — If a meter address has had lots of customers, some companies flag it.
Credit check timing — You’re often setting up service while you’re also dealing with apartment deposits, first/last month’s rent, and moving costs. Adding a $300+ light deposit on top is brutal.

The system isn’t designed for people who rent. But there are workarounds.

Option 1: Compare Light Companies (Some Won’t Require a Deposit)

Different light companies have different credit thresholds. Company A might want $400 from you. Company B might approve you with $0 down. Same apartment, same credit score, completely different outcome.

This is the first thing you should try. Use our deposit checker tool — enter your ZIP code and we’ll show you which companies approve you without a deposit.

Option 2: Go Prepaid (Zero Deposit, Zero Credit Check)

Prepaid lights are the guaranteed option for apartment dwellers with credit challenges. Here’s why they work especially well for apartments:

No credit check at all — Your score doesn’t matter
No deposit — You start with a small balance (typically $40-$75)
No contract — If you break your lease early, you’re not stuck with an early termination fee
Same-day setup — Most prepaid companies can get your lights on within hours

The trade-off is a higher rate per kilowatt-hour compared to a fixed-rate plan. But if the alternative is paying $400 upfront that you don’t have, prepaid gets you in the door.

Learn how prepaid works in detail in our prepaid guide.

Option 3: Letter of Credit

If you had lights in your name before — at a previous apartment, house, anywhere — and you paid on time for 12 months, you can get a letter of credit from your old company. This can waive the deposit at your new company.

Option 4: Ask About Deposit Alternatives

Some light companies offer:

Deposit payment plans — Split the deposit over 2-3 monthly payments
Lower deposit tiers — Borderline credit scores sometimes qualify for a reduced deposit
Auto-pay discount — Setting up automatic payments sometimes reduces or eliminates the deposit requirement

Check our deposit waivers guide for the full list of alternatives.

What to Ask Your Landlord Before You Move In

Before signing a lease, get clear answers to these questions:

“Do I set up my own light service, or is it included?” — Determines everything.
“What’s the meter number for my unit?” — You’ll need this when you call the light company. If they don’t know it, that’s a red flag.
“Which TDU (transmission company) serves this address?” — In Texas, Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, or TNMP. This determines which retail companies can serve you.
“Is there any current service on this meter?” — If the previous tenant didn’t cancel their service, it can delay your setup.
“Has the apartment complex ever been on a master meter?” — Some complexes switched from master meter to individual meters. If the transition was recent, there can be quirks.

The All-Bills-Paid Comparison

Thinking about an all-bills-paid apartment to avoid dealing with lights altogether? Here’s the math:

	Own Light Account	All-Bills-Paid
Control over rate	Yes	No
Average added cost	$100-$200/month (varies)	$50-$150 added to rent
Deposit required	Maybe	No (included in rent)
Summer bill spikes	Yes	No (fixed rent)
Conservation incentive	Yes (you pay for what you use)	No (flat rate)

All-bills-paid looks simpler, but you’re paying for it in higher rent — and you have zero incentive to conserve, which means the landlord builds in a buffer for heavy usage.

The Smart Move for Apartment Renters

Here’s what we’d recommend:

Start by comparing light companies. You might get approved with no deposit. It takes 60 seconds.
If deposits are too high, go prepaid. No deposit, no credit check, no contract. Perfect for apartment situations.
Build 12 months of on-time payments. Then get a letter of credit and switch to a cheaper fixed-rate plan when your lease renews.

Your apartment shouldn’t keep you in the dark. Enter your ZIP code to see what’s available at your address — check plans now.

Related reading:

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).