1
                                                      Direct Dial (214) 745-5201
                                                            thughes@winstead.com


                                  EXHIBIT 5.1

                           OPINION REGARDING LEGALITY

                                  May 22, 1998



Renters Choice, Inc.
13800 Montfort Drive, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas  75240

Gentlemen:

         Renters Choice, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is today
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the registration of
1,500,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock ("Common Stock"), $.01 par
value per share, of the Company which may hereafter be issued pursuant to The
1994 Renters Choice, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

         In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have examined (i) the
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments
thereto, (ii) the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, (iii)
minutes of meetings or  consents in lieu of meetings of the Company's board of
directors (the "Board") and stockholders, and (iv) such other corporate records
and documents, certificates of corporate and public officials and statutes as
we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion.  In such
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
authenticity of all corporate records, documents and instruments submitted to
us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to us as conformed, certified or photostatic copies thereof, the
authenticity of the originals of such photostatic, certified or conformed
copies, and compliance both in the past and in the future with the terms of the
Plan by the Company and its employees, officers, the Board and any committees
appointed to administer the Plan.

         Based upon such examination and in reliance thereon, we are of the
opinion that upon the issuance of Shares in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Plan, including receipt prior to issuance by the Company of
the full consideration for the Shares (which consideration shall be at least
equal to the par value thereof), the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable shares of Common Stock.
   2
Renters Choice, Inc.
May 22, 1998
Page 2

         This firm consents to the filing of this opinion with the Commission
as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         WINSTEAD SECHREST & MINICK P.C.



                                         By: /s/ Thomas W. Hughes             
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Thomas W. Hughes