# Guides | New Austin Apartment Team > 40 guides for renting a new Austin apartment: specials, fees, year two, lease-ups, pre-leasing, utilities, commute, and approval. URL: https://newapartmentsaustin.com/guides/ Guides · 40 evergreen answers # Guides for renting a new Austin apartment Prices pulled Oct 25, 2026 at 6:14 AM CT · Travis · Williamson · Hays · Bastrop · Caldwell Plain answers on specials, fees, year two, lease-ups, utilities, commutes, and approval, each with sources and dates. - Free to you, and your rent is the same either way - 144 new communities tracked (as of Oct 25, 2026) - Prices pulled every morning ![Printed apartment guides and a lease addendum on an oak table](/images/misc/stack-of-printed-apartment-guides-and-a-lease-adde.webp) - Licensed Texas brokerage Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021 - Free to renters Communities pay the brokerage. Your rent is the same either way. - Prices pulled every morning Every card shows the date and time it was pulled - Score can't be bought Commission rates never affect score, sort, placement, or picks ## Before you search: costs, approval, and move-in ![Electric meter bank on the limestone wall of a new Central Texas apartment building](/images/featured/electric-meter-bank-on-the-limestone-exterior-wall.webp) Decision guide ### Austin Energy vs. PEC vs. Bluebonnet: Electric at New Apartments Electric depends on the address. Across 144 new Austin-area buildings: Austin Energy 83, PEC 28, Bluebonnet 13, Georgetown 3, Oncor 16 (Oct 25, 2026). [Austin Energy vs. PEC vs. Bluebonnet: Electric at New Apartments →](/guides/austin-energy-vs-pec-vs-bluebonnet/) ![Hands with a calculator and notebook at a sunlit desk in a new apartment](/images/featured/hands-with-a-calculator-and-notebook-at-a-sunlit-d.webp) Decision guide ### How to Set an All-In Budget for a New Apartment Turn a monthly budget into net effective plus fees plus utilities, then check move-in cash, 24-month totals, and year two before you tour. [How to Set an All-In Budget for a New Apartment →](/guides/all-in-apartment-budget/) ![Utility letter of credit on a desk beside new apartment keys](/images/featured/utility-letter-of-credit-printed-on-a-desk-beside-.webp) Explainer ### How to Waive Utility Deposits With a Letter of Credit A 12-month letter of credit from your current utility can waive deposits at Austin Energy ($200), PEC (up to $150), and Georgetown ($250). The steps and timing. [How to Waive Utility Deposits With a Letter of Credit →](/guides/waive-utility-deposits-letter-of-credit/) ![Laptop with an apartment application open on an oak kitchen island](/images/featured/laptop-with-an-apartment-application-open-on-an-oa.webp) Explainer ### Income Requirements at New Apartments: 3x Base Rent or 3x Effective Rent? Most new Austin buildings want about 3x the rent. A few test against rent after the special. How to check which before you pay an application fee. [Income Requirements at New Apartments: 3x Base Rent or 3x Effective Rent? →](/guides/income-requirements-new-apartments/) ![Bright leasing lounge in a new Austin apartment building with a limestone wall and oak desk](/images/featured/bright-leasing-lounge-in-a-new-austin-apartment-bu.webp) Explainer ### Is an Apartment Locator Free in Texas? How Locators Get Paid Communities pay the brokerage, and your rent is the same either way. How locator commissions work in Texas and why they never affect our score. [Is an Apartment Locator Free in Texas? How Locators Get Paid →](/guides/is-an-apartment-locator-free/) ![Lease addenda pages spread on a sunlit oak table with a highlighted clause](/images/featured/lease-addenda-pages-spread-on-a-sunlit-oak-table-w.webp) Explainer ### Lease Addenda Red Flags in a New-Build Lease Concession repayment, RUBS, fees, renewal, early exit, military waiver, late fees, and the Texas flood notice: the eight addenda to read before you sign. [Lease Addenda Red Flags in a New-Build Lease →](/guides/lease-addenda-red-flags/) ![Clipboard checklist on a new quartz kitchen counter with floor-to-ceiling windows](/images/featured/clipboard-checklist-on-a-new-quartz-kitchen-counte.webp) Decision guide ### New Apartment Tour and Move-In Checklist What to check on a new-build tour and in the first 48 hours: sound ratings, HVAC sized for a 99°F design day, finished amenities, and the move-in condition form. [New Apartment Tour and Move-In Checklist →](/guides/new-apartment-move-in-checklist/) ![Phone showing an apartment listing beside a printed rendering on a desk](/images/featured/phone-showing-an-apartment-listing-next-to-a-print.webp) Explainer ### Rental Scams Around New Construction: How to Spot Them Fake listings using renderings, payment before a tour, and agents you can't verify. How to check the leasing office and a TREC license before you pay. [Rental Scams Around New Construction: How to Spot Them →](/guides/new-construction-rental-scams/) ![Dog resting on a new oak floor near floor-to-ceiling windows](/images/featured/dog-resting-on-a-new-oak-floor-near-floor-to-ceili.webp) Explainer ### Renting a New Apartment With Pets: Fees, Rent, and Rules Pet deposit vs. pet fee vs. monthly pet rent, breed and weight rules, and how pet rent changes true monthly at new Austin buildings. [Renting a New Apartment With Pets: Fees, Rent, and Rules →](/guides/renting-new-apartment-with-pets/) ![Itemized apartment fee sheet beside keys on an oak counter in a new kitchen](/images/featured/printed-itemized-apartment-fee-sheet-beside-keys-o.webp) Decision guide ### Required Monthly Fees at New Apartments: What They Cover and Cost At 12 board buildings, required fees ran $78-$228 a month (median $120.50, Oct 25, 2026). What they cover, property-billed water rules, and Austin's fee ordinance. [Required Monthly Fees at New Apartments: What They Cover and Cost →](/guides/required-monthly-fees-new-apartments/) ## New Build Board Open New Build Board → [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) ![Four printed apartment comparison cards on an oak table](/images/featured/four-printed-apartment-comparison-cards-laid-out-o.webp) Decision guide ### How to Compare New Apartment Buildings Side by Side Compare on true monthly, year two, and 24-month total, not headline rent. Then add stage, what's finished, and fee disclosure. [How to Compare New Apartment Buildings Side by Side →](/guides/compare-new-apartment-buildings/) ![Clean parking garage level of a new Austin apartment building](/images/featured/clean-new-parking-garage-level-of-an-austin-apartm.webp) Explainer ### Parking at New Apartments: Garage, Reserved, and Surface Costs Garage, reserved, and surface parking change true monthly. How parking charges, EV charging, and guest rules work at new Austin buildings. [Parking at New Apartments: Garage, Reserved, and Surface Costs →](/guides/parking-at-new-apartments/) ![Real new apartment living room with floor-to-ceiling glass and oak floors](/images/featured/real-new-apartment-living-room-with-floor-to-ceili.webp) Explainer ### Renderings vs. the Real Unit: What a New-Build Listing Doesn't Show Renderings, model units, and your actual unit differ on view, floor, and finish. What to ask for before you sign, and how a live video walk helps. [Renderings vs. the Real Unit: What a New-Build Listing Doesn't Show →](/guides/renderings-vs-real-unit/) ![Tower crane over a nearly finished apartment building in Austin](/images/featured/tower-crane-over-a-nearly-finished-limestone-and-g.webp) Decision guide ### Rent Now or Wait? Austin New-Build Supply in 2026 vs. 2027 Deliveries fall from about 13,000-14,900 in 2026 to about 7,000 in 2027. What that timing window means for specials and your move date. [Rent Now or Wait? Austin New-Build Supply in 2026 vs. 2027 →](/guides/rent-now-or-wait-austin-supply-2027/) ![Aerial view of new apartment buildings along a Central Texas highway corridor](/images/featured/aerial-view-of-new-apartment-buildings-along-a-cen.webp) Explainer ### Where New-Build Vacancy Is Highest in the Austin Metro Far North 25.0%, San Marcos 19.9%, Northeast 17.0%, Southeast 16.2% (Matthews Q2 2026). What vacancy means for room to ask on a new apartment. [Where New-Build Vacancy Is Highest in the Austin Metro →](/guides/austin-new-build-vacancy-by-submarket/) ## Specials Open Specials → [/apartment-specials/ →](/apartment-specials/) ![Wall calendar and lease pages in a bright new apartment kitchen](/images/featured/wall-calendar-and-lease-pages-in-a-bright-new-apar.webp) Decision guide ### 12-Month vs. 15-Month Lease on a New-Build Special More weeks free on a longer lease can cost more or less. Compare net effective, renewal month timing, and 24-month totals before you choose. [12-Month vs. 15-Month Lease on a New-Build Special →](/guides/12-vs-15-month-lease/) ![Concession addendum page with a highlighted repayment clause](/images/featured/concession-addendum-page-with-a-highlighted-repaym.webp) Explainer ### Concession Payback Clauses: When You Owe Free Rent Back Leave early and a concession addendum can require you to repay free rent. What triggers it, and how upfront vs. prorated specials change your exposure. [Concession Payback Clauses: When You Owe Free Rent Back →](/guides/concession-payback-clauses/) ![Three special offer cards side by side on an oak table](/images/featured/three-special-offer-cards-side-by-side-on-an-oak-t.webp) Decision guide ### Upfront vs. Prorated Concessions vs. Gift Cards: Which Is Worth More Same weeks free, three formats. Compare move-in cash, monthly cost, and payback exposure, with gift cards kept outside net effective. [Upfront vs. Prorated Concessions vs. Gift Cards: Which Is Worth More →](/guides/upfront-vs-prorated-concessions/) ![Calculator and a printed apartment special flyer on a sunlit oak desk](/images/featured/calculator-and-a-printed-apartment-special-flyer-o.webp) Explainer ### What Is Net Effective Rent and How Do You Calculate It? Net effective = (base × months − free rent) ÷ months. $1,172 base with 10 weeks free on 12 months is $947 (as of Oct 25, 2026). The formula, a worked example, and its limits. [What Is Net Effective Rent and How Do You Calculate It? →](/guides/net-effective-rent/) ![Resident portal ledger on a laptop screen in a new apartment](/images/featured/resident-portal-ledger-on-a-laptop-screen-in-a-new.webp) Explainer ### What to Do When Your Special Is Missing From the Ledger Check your ledger at day 7 and day 30, use the written special as evidence, and raise it in writing. We take it up with the community and report back. [What to Do When Your Special Is Missing From the Ledger →](/guides/special-missing-from-ledger/) ![Renewal offer letter on a kitchen island with a calendar nearby](/images/featured/renewal-offer-letter-on-a-kitchen-island-in-a-sunl.webp) Explainer ### Year-Two Rent After a Concession: How the Renewal Jump Works Renewals price from base rent. 10.8 weeks free on 12 months means about +26% at the same base. How to see year two at 0% and +3% before you sign. [Year-Two Rent After a Concession: How the Renewal Jump Works →](/guides/year-two-rent-after-concession/) ## Lease-Ups Open Lease-Ups → [/lease-up-apartments/ →](/lease-up-apartments/) ![Quiet new apartment bedroom with oak floors and a large window](/images/featured/quiet-new-apartment-bedroom-with-oak-floors-and-a-.webp) Explainer ### Are New Apartments Soundproof? What STC and IIC 50 Mean The 2024 IBC sets STC and IIC 50 as the minimum between units. What the ratings mean, how building types differ, and what to test on a tour. [Are New Apartments Soundproof? What STC and IIC 50 Mean →](/guides/are-new-apartments-soundproof/) ![Partly occupied new apartment facade at dusk with some windows lit](/images/featured/partly-occupied-new-apartment-facade-at-dusk-with-.webp) Explainer ### How Specials Change as a New Building Fills Fill rate and revenue management pricing drive special depth. How to read the fill curve and price history, and when to sign during a lease-up. [How Specials Change as a New Building Fills →](/guides/how-specials-change-as-building-fills/) ![Finished courtyard pool beside a second building phase under construction](/images/featured/finished-apartment-courtyard-pool-beside-a-second-.webp) Explainer ### Moving Into a Building That's Still Finishing: Amenities and Construction Pool and gym open dates, phase construction noise and dust, and the questions to ask in writing before you sign at a new Austin building. [Moving Into a Building That's Still Finishing: Amenities and Construction →](/guides/moving-into-building-still-finishing/) ![Blue painter's tape marking a finish touch-up on a new wall](/images/featured/blue-painter-tape-marking-a-small-finish-touch-up-.webp) Decision guide ### The Day 7 and Day 30 Punch List in a New Apartment Common new-build defects, the 48-hour move-in form, and written punch lists at day 7 and day 30, followed up in writing. [The Day 7 and Day 30 Punch List in a New Apartment →](/guides/new-apartment-punch-list/) ![Newly opened apartment building with a leasing banner in Austin](/images/featured/newly-opened-limestone-and-glass-apartment-buildin.webp) Explainer ### What Is a Lease-Up Apartment? A lease-up building has its Certificate of Occupancy and is filling its first units. How lease-up differs from pre-leasing and stabilized, and why specials run deepest. [What Is a Lease-Up Apartment? →](/guides/what-is-a-lease-up-apartment/) ## Opening Soon Open Opening Soon → [/opening-soon/ →](/opening-soon/) ![Hard-hat tour inside a nearly finished apartment with floor-to-ceiling glass](/images/featured/hard-hat-tour-inside-a-nearly-finished-apartment-w.webp) Explainer ### How Pre-Leasing Works: Holds, Deposits, and Sight-Unseen Units Holding deposits, picking a floor plan sight unseen, hard-hat tours, and price locks: the pre-leasing steps and what's refundable. [How Pre-Leasing Works: Holds, Deposits, and Sight-Unseen Units →](/guides/how-pre-leasing-works/) ![Two new Austin apartment buildings, one finished and one under construction](/images/featured/two-new-austin-apartment-buildings-one-finished-an.webp) Decision guide ### Pre-Lease or Move Now? Choosing Between Opening Soon and Open Today Weigh your current lease end, special depth at pre-lease vs. lease-up, delay risk, and 24-month totals before you choose. [Pre-Lease or Move Now? Choosing Between Opening Soon and Open Today →](/guides/pre-lease-or-move-now/) ![Moving boxes stacked by a window with a calendar on the wall](/images/featured/moving-boxes-stacked-by-a-window-in-a-current-apar.webp) Explainer ### What Happens When Your New Apartment Move-In Date Slips Certificate of Occupancy delays, what the lease says about late delivery, and your options: hold, switch buildings, or release. [What Happens When Your New Apartment Move-In Date Slips →](/guides/move-in-date-delayed/) ## Build-to-Rent Open Build-to-Rent → [/build-to-rent-homes/ →](/build-to-rent-homes/) ![New build-to-rent townhome and a new mid-rise apartment building](/images/featured/new-build-to-rent-townhome-and-a-new-mid-rise-apar.webp) Decision guide ### Build-to-Rent Home vs. New Apartment: How to Decide Compare true monthly side by side, plus space, garage, and yard against amenities, utilities, and commute. [Build-to-Rent Home vs. New Apartment: How to Decide →](/guides/build-to-rent-vs-apartment/) ![Row of new build-to-rent homes with small yards in a Central Texas community](/images/featured/row-of-new-limestone-and-sage-build-to-rent-homes-.webp) Explainer ### What Is a Build-to-Rent Home? Build-to-rent homes are new detached homes or townhomes leased like apartments. How leasing works, who maintains the yard, fees, and specials. [What Is a Build-to-Rent Home? →](/guides/what-is-build-to-rent/) ## Income-Restricted Open Income-Restricted → [/income-restricted-apartments/ →](/income-restricted-apartments/) ![Two identical new apartment kitchens with oak cabinets and quartz counters](/images/featured/two-identical-new-apartment-kitchens-with-oak-cabi.webp) Decision guide ### Income-Restricted vs. Market-Rate Unit in the Same New Building Rent caps vs. specials, annual recertification, whether specials apply, and the same finishes: how the two unit types compare in one building. [Income-Restricted vs. Market-Rate Unit in the Same New Building →](/guides/income-restricted-vs-market-rate/) ![Exterior of a new mid-rise apartment building in Austin with a limestone base](/images/featured/exterior-of-a-new-mid-rise-apartment-building-in-a.webp) Explainer ### Using a Housing Voucher at a New Austin-Area Apartment HFC buildings must accept vouchers (§394.9026). FY2027 FMR 1BR $1,530; AHA payment standard 1BR $1,650. Where vouchers work at new buildings. [Using a Housing Voucher at a New Austin-Area Apartment →](/guides/housing-voucher-new-apartments/) ![Bright new apartment living room with sage accents and oak floors](/images/featured/bright-new-apartment-living-room-with-sage-accents.webp) Explainer ### Who Qualifies for Income-Restricted Units: 60% AMI Limits in Travis County TDHCA 2026: 60% AMI for 2 persons is $64,560, and the 60% max 2BR rent is $1,815 in Travis County. How to check eligibility and which documents you'll need. [Who Qualifies for Income-Restricted Units: 60% AMI Limits in Travis County →](/guides/income-restricted-eligibility-travis-county/) ## Near Work Open Near Work → [/new-apartments-near-work/ →](/new-apartments-near-work/) ![Austin highway interchange at golden hour with new apartment buildings in the distance](/images/featured/austin-highway-interchange-at-golden-hour-with-new.webp) Decision guide ### How to Choose a New Apartment by Commute Drive vs. transit, tolls added to true monthly, and I-35 downtown work from 2027 to 2033: a commute decision flow for new Austin apartments. [How to Choose a New Apartment by Commute →](/guides/choose-apartment-by-commute/) ![Early morning road toward a hospital campus skyline in Austin](/images/featured/quiet-early-morning-road-toward-a-hospital-campus-.webp) Explainer ### Renting Near a Hospital Shift: New Apartments by Drive Time Free-flow vs. shift-change drive times, parking at both ends, and new buildings within a short drive of your hospital. [Renting Near a Hospital Shift: New Apartments by Drive Time →](/guides/apartments-near-austin-hospitals/) ![SH-130 toll road through open Central Texas landscape at golden hour](/images/featured/sh-130-toll-road-through-open-central-texas-landsc.webp) Explainer ### Samsung Taylor and Tesla Giga Texas: SH-130 Drive Times and Tolls From New Builds SH-130 routes, monthly toll cost, and where new buildings sit in Manor, Hutto, Pflugerville, and Del Valle for Samsung and Tesla commutes. [Samsung Taylor and Tesla Giga Texas: SH-130 Drive Times and Tolls From New Builds →](/guides/samsung-taylor-tesla-commute-sh-130/) ## Near Transit Open Near Transit → [/new-apartments-near-transit/ →](/new-apartments-near-transit/) ![MetroRapid bus at a modern Austin transit stop near new apartments](/images/featured/metrorapid-bus-at-a-modern-austin-transit-stop-nea.webp) Explainer ### MetroRapid 800 and 837 at 10-Minute Peak: What It Means for Renters Since June 7, 2026, MetroRapid 800 and 837 run every 10 minutes at peak. Buildings within walking distance, and the 2027 and 2033 rail timeline. [MetroRapid 800 and 837 at 10-Minute Peak: What It Means for Renters →](/guides/metrorapid-800-837-frequency/) ## Moving to Austin Open Moving to Austin → [/moving-to-austin/ →](/moving-to-austin/) ![Phone on a tripod filming a walkthrough of a sunlit new apartment living room](/images/featured/phone-on-a-tripod-filming-a-walkthrough-of-a-sunli.webp) Explainer ### Leasing a New Apartment Remotely: Video Walks and Sight-Unseen Leases Live video walk of the actual unit, a written fee sheet, e-signing addenda, and scam checks for leasing a new Austin apartment from out of town. [Leasing a New Apartment Remotely: Video Walks and Sight-Unseen Leases →](/guides/lease-apartment-sight-unseen/) ![183A toll road overpass near new Williamson County apartments](/images/featured/183a-toll-road-overpass-near-new-williamson-county.webp) Decision guide ### Toll Roads Around Austin: What 183A, SH-130, and SH-45 Add to a Commute Toll roads by corridor, how to estimate a monthly toll bill, TxTag basics, and how to add tolls to your apartment's true monthly. [Toll Roads Around Austin: What 183A, SH-130, and SH-45 Add to a Commute →](/guides/austin-toll-roads-commute-cost/) The 60-second form ## Tell us what you need. We make the calls. You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do, and confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours. 1. 1 Same day We call or text during hours with a shortlist plan. 2. 2 In writing Unit, special, end date, and fee sheet confirmed before you tour. 3. 3 Year two shown Every pick shows year two at 0% and +3%, plus a 24-month total. Prefer to talk? Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) , Mon-Fri 8 AM-8 PM · Sat 9 AM-6 PM · Sun 12-5 PM. Free, same day during hours ## Get my shortlist Step 1 of 3 ### Thanks, we have your details. We'll call or text the same day during hours with your shortlist plan. Straight answers ## About our guides Direct answer first, then the source and date. If your question isn't here, ask us on the form or by text. ### Who writes these guides? The New Austin Apartment Team, a team of Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC (TREC #562021). Each guide shows who wrote it, who reviewed it, and when it was updated. ### How current are the numbers in the guides? Every figure names its source and date. Property prices and specials appear only as dated illustrations; the live board shows current numbers from the feed. ### Which guide should I read first? Start with net effective rent and required monthly fees. Together they explain most of the gap between a headline price and what you'll pay. ### Can you guarantee a price or approval? No. The community sets both price and approval. We confirm them in writing before you sign. ### Can I ask a question that isn't covered? Yes. Send it on the form or by text and we'll answer it, and add it to a guide if others are likely to ask. Related pages ## Keep comparing Board view ### New Build Board Every in-scope community on one map, with base rent, the special, net effective, true monthly, and year two pulled every morning. Open New Build Board→ [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Board view ### Specials Specials confirmed within the last 7 days, each decoded to net effective and year two, with base rent shown beside every discount. Open Specials→ [/apartment-specials/ →](/apartment-specials/) Board view ### Lease-Ups Buildings already open and filling, sorted by stage and fill estimate, with what's finished and what the special does to your monthly cost. Open Lease-Ups→ [/lease-up-apartments/ →](/lease-up-apartments/) ![](/images/misc/dusk-view-of-new-limestone-and-glass-apartment-tow.webp) Free to you, and your rent is the same either way ## You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do. Send us your move date and all-in budget. We confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours, then show you year two before you tour. Get my shortlist → [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.