Quick Answer: To apply for an apartment at Dakota, confirm your household income falls within the community's limits, then submit the online rental application with a photo ID, proof of income, and your rental history. Dakota is an income-restricted community in south Fort Worth, so approval depends on income eligibility plus a standard credit and background check.
Applying at Dakota works a little differently than a market-rate lease, because it's an income-restricted community. This guide covers how to apply for an apartment at Dakota, from checking income limits to signing your lease. Serving south Fort Worth from 6218 Finbro Drive, Dakota has affordable one and two bedroom floor plans and asks applicants to income-qualify before approval.
What is the Dakota apartment application process?
The Dakota apartment application process is an online rental application paired with income certification. Because Dakota takes part in an affordable housing program, your household income has to fall at or below the limit for your household size, and staff verify it before you're approved. A standard credit and background check runs alongside that income review. Unlike most Fort Worth apartments, Dakota sets rents below market.
Who qualifies for these income-based apartments?
Qualifying comes down to income. Your household must earn at or under the published limit for your size, and that figure is tied to the area median income that HUD sets each year. Limits change annually, so confirm the current number with the leasing office before you apply. You don't need a housing voucher to apply here; the income cap itself is what keeps rents affordable.
How do you apply for an apartment at Dakota, step by step?
Once your paperwork is together, the application itself is quick. Here's how to apply for an apartment at Dakota in order, from the first tour to a signed lease. Set aside about 20 to 30 minutes to finish the online form once your files are ready. Most steps happen online, though you can visit the office instead if you'd rather get help in person.
What are the apartment requirements at Dakota?
Beyond income eligibility, the apartment requirements match a normal screening: you'll clear a credit and background check, and the office reviews your rental history. Gather these before you start:
- A government-issued photo ID for every adult who will live in the unit
- Proof of income, like recent pay stubs, an offer letter, or benefit award letters
- Tax returns or W-2s from the past year or two, plus recent bank statements
- Contact details for your current and previous landlords
- Social Security numbers or valid ID numbers for the background screening
With your documents in hand, follow these steps:
- Call the leasing office at (817) 294-7555 and ask for the current income limits for your household size, so you don't apply for a unit you can't qualify for. You can cross-check figures with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs income and rent limits tool.
- Tour the community in person or take a virtual tour, then pick the floor plan and move-in date that fit your budget.
- Start the online application and create your applicant profile. Every adult in the household files a separate application.
- Upload your ID, proof of income, and the rest of your paperwork so the office can verify your income eligibility without back-and-forth.
- Pay the application and administrative fees when you submit. The leasing team confirms the exact amounts at this step.
- Complete income certification, where staff check your income against the program limits. Answer any follow-up requests quickly to avoid delays.
- Sign the lease and pay your deposit once you're approved, then set your move-in date.
What does it cost, and how does apartment approval work?
Two things applicants ask about most are cost and timing. Dakota shares the full fee breakdown during the leasing process, and approval depends on both your screening and your income certification. Plan for a few fees up front, then a security deposit once you're cleared.
Fees and the apartment application fee
Expect a non-refundable apartment application fee and an administrative fee at submission. The security deposit isn't fixed; it varies with your credit, the screening results, and the unit you pick. Rent depends on your floor plan, with one bedrooms recently starting around $815 a month. Ask for the fee sheet when you tour, so there are no surprises at submission.
| Cost | When it's due | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | At submission | No |
| Administrative fee | At submission | No |
| Security deposit | At approval | Varies by Texas law and inspection |
| Monthly rent | At move-in, then monthly | N/A |
| Pet fee ($350 per pet) | Before move-in | No |
| Pet deposit ($150 per pet) | Before move-in | Yes, at move-out |
If you're bringing a pet, add pet rent of $30 per pet each month.
Approval and the move-in process
Approval hinges on clearing the screening and passing income certification. Miss either one and you won't be approved, even with a strong rental history. Timelines vary, but many applicants hear back within a few business days once every document is in. The move-in process starts the moment you sign: review the lease, pay your deposit and any pet fees, and set a move-in date. Dakota runs 10 to 15 month lease terms, so check the length first. Set up utilities and renter's insurance if the lease requires it, and ask the office which utilities you're responsible for, since that varies by unit. Register any pet, then pick up your keys at the south Fort Worth leasing office on move-in day. The community is smoke-free with a 30-pound pet limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I have to meet an income limit to rent at Dakota?
Yes. Dakota is an income-restricted community, so your household income must fall at or below the published limit for your household size. That figure is based on the area median income for the Fort Worth area and updates each year. Households of different sizes have different caps, so your number may differ from a neighbor's.
2. How long does apartment approval take at Dakota?
It depends on how complete your file is. Once every document is submitted and your income is verified, many applicants get an answer within a few business days. Incomplete paperwork is the top reason an application stalls, so reply to any follow-up request quickly to keep things moving.
3. What documents do I need to apply?
Have these ready before you begin:
- A photo ID for each adult applicant
- Recent pay stubs or benefit letters as proof of income
- Tax returns, W-2s, or recent bank statements
- Landlord contact information for your rental history
4. Can I apply for an apartment at Dakota online?
Yes. You can finish the whole rental application online through Dakota's apply page, upload your documents, and pay the fees there. Applications run through the community's secure applicant portal. Prefer to apply in person or have questions about income limits? The leasing office in south Fort Worth can walk you through it.
5. Are pets allowed at Dakota Apartments?
Yes, with limits. Dakota Apartments welcomes cats and dogs up to 30 pounds, with a maximum of two pets per home. Budget for a $350 non-refundable pet fee, a $150 refundable pet deposit, and $30 in monthly pet rent per pet. The whole property is smoke-free.
Conclusion
Dakota keeps things simple once you know it's income-restricted. Confirm your household income fits the limits, gather your ID and income paperwork, and submit the online rental application. Approval then comes down to a clean screening and verified income. When you're ready, contact Dakota's apartment leasing team at the south Fort Worth office, (817) 294-7555, and knowing how to apply for an apartment at Dakota will make the whole move faster.
