# Auto-Decline vs. Case-by-Case Apartment Review | FFA | Felon Friendly Apartments

> What

URL: https://felonfriendlyapartments.com/guide/auto-decline-vs-case-by-case-review/
Last-Modified: 2026-07-20

GUIDE

# Auto-Decline vs. Case-by-Case Review

What 'case by case review' really means: genuine individualized assessment vs. a fee-collection line, and how to tell them apart.

![Two apartment brochures compared on a desk, candid daytime](/images/misc/two-apartment-brochures-compared-on-a-desk-candid-.webp)

What ‘case by case review’ really means: genuine individualized assessment vs. a fee-collection line, and how to tell them apart.

## What this guide covers

-   ‘Case by case’ genuine meaning vs. fee-collection language
-   Individualized assessment factors
-   How to spot properties that truly review

![Person on the phone with a leasing office taking notes](/images/misc/person-on-the-phone-with-a-leasing-office-taking-n.webp)

## Background

Explain the biggest approval variable: genuine review vs. fee collection. (Renter wants to know if a ‘case by case’ claim is real before paying a fee.)

## What matters most

-   **‘Case by case’ genuine meaning vs. fee-collection language.** Understanding this piece typically has the largest single effect on approval odds.
-   **Individualized assessment factors.** Two identical applicants can get different answers at different properties for this reason.
-   **How to spot properties that truly review.** Preparation cuts down on repeated applications and burned fees.

## Honest expectations

We are direct with renters about what this record type does and does not open. Where a situation is a near-universal hard stop, we say so up front rather than collect an application fee. Where a property will genuinely review, we identify it so you spend your one application well.

## What to do next

1.  Pull your own screening report so you know what a landlord will see. See 
    
    how to check your own background before you apply
    
    [/guide/how-to-check-your-own-background-before-you-apply/ →](/guide/how-to-check-your-own-background-before-you-apply/)
    
    .
2.  Line up certified dispositions from the county clerk and any completion documentation.
3.  Have income verification ready — most Texas apartments want gross monthly income at 3x rent.
4.  Get a pre-screened shortlist before you apply blind.

## Related

-   Felony Records And Individualized Assessment
    
    [/guide/felony-records-and-individualized-assessment/ →](/guide/felony-records-and-individualized-assessment/)
    
-   Felony Convictions
    
    [/felony-convictions/ →](/felony-convictions/)
    

## Common Questions

Does 'case by case review' mean I'll get approved?

Not always; sometimes genuine, sometimes a way to collect the fee.

How can I tell if a property genuinely reviews?

Property-level policy knowledge; a locator pre-screens which ones do.

What is individualized assessment?

Weighing offense type, age, and rehabilitation instead of a blanket ban.

## Related Guides

### Arrest vs. Conviction on a Background Check

How screening treats an arrest vs. a conviction, why arrests can still surface, disposition status, and FCRA limits on old arrest records.

Read guide →

[Arrest vs. Conviction on a Background Check →](/guide/arrest-vs-conviction-on-a-background-check/)

### Criminal Background Lookback Periods Explained

How apartment lookback windows work: 5, 7, and 10-year policies, blanket vs. offense-type rules, and why conviction age shifts your odds.

Read guide →

[Criminal Background Lookback Periods Explained →](/guide/criminal-background-lookback-periods-explained/)

### DWI Non-Disclosure in Texas (Section 411.072)

The DWI sealing path under 411.072 (H.B. 3016): who qualifies for a first-time DWI, waiting periods, and screening effect. Not legal advice.

Read guide →

[DWI Non-Disclosure in Texas (Section 411.072) →](/guide/dwi-non-disclosure-in-texas-411-072/)

### Expungement in Texas (Chapter 55A)

How Texas expungement works under Chapter 55A (effective Jan 2025): eligibility basics, screening effect, and database lag. Not legal advice.

Read guide →

[Expungement in Texas (Chapter 55A) →](/guide/expungement-in-texas-chapter-55a/)

![](/images/misc/garden-style-texas-apartment-courtyard-at-dusk-wit.webp)

## Ready to Find Apartments That Accept Your Record?

Free, licensed intake. Application fee rebated on approval.

Start Free Intake

[/contact/ →](/contact/)