What Landlords Are Actually Evaluating
Most rental applications in Texas come down to three things: your ability to pay, your history of paying, and whether you left your last place in good standing. Landlords aren't trying to catch you out — they're trying to assess risk. Understanding that makes the process easier to navigate.
- Income: Most landlords look for gross monthly income of 2.5–3x the monthly rent. On a $1,000/month unit, that means showing roughly $2,500–$3,000/month in income. Pay stubs, bank statements, or an offer letter all work.
- Credit: There's no universal cutoff, but most professionally managed properties want to see a score above 580–620. Some are flexible if your income is strong or you can offer a larger deposit. A few late payments won't automatically disqualify you — a pattern of them will.
- Rental history: Landlords will contact your previous landlords. Evictions are a serious red flag; a clean record is a real asset. If you've never rented before, be upfront — some landlords will work with first-time renters who have strong income and credit.
- Background check: Standard for professionally managed properties. Serious criminal history — particularly anything involving property damage or violence — is typically disqualifying. Minor or older offenses are handled case by case.
What Documents to Have Ready
Getting your documents together before you apply saves time and makes you look organized — which matters when a landlord has multiple applicants for the same unit.
- Government-issued ID — driver's license or passport
- Proof of income — two to three recent pay stubs, or last two months of bank statements if self-employed
- Previous landlord contact info — name and phone number for your last one or two landlords
- Social Security number — required for the credit and background check
Some landlords also ask for employment verification (a letter from your employer or HR contact) or references. It's worth having those ready even if they're not required upfront.
The Application Fee
Texas law allows landlords to charge application fees, and most do — typically $40–$75 per adult applicant. This covers the cost of the credit and background check. Application fees in Texas are generally non-refundable, so it's worth making sure a unit is a genuine fit before you apply.
💡 Tip: Apply to one unit at a time rather than scattering applications across multiple properties. Each application triggers a hard credit inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short window can affect your score.
How Quickly You'll Hear Back
Turnaround time varies. Private landlords sometimes take a week or more. Professionally managed properties — those run by a property management company rather than an individual — tend to move faster. At EWG Properties, most applications are processed within 1–2 business days.
If you're in a time-sensitive situation, ask about turnaround before you apply. A good landlord will give you a straight answer.
What Happens If You're Denied
Under the Fair Housing Act and Texas law, landlords must apply the same screening criteria to all applicants. If you're denied, you're entitled to know the reason — either directly from the landlord or through an adverse action notice from the screening company. Common reasons include income too low, credit below threshold, or a negative landlord reference.
If you're denied and think the reason is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute the screening report with the reporting agency. Errors in background check reports are more common than most people realize.
Applying with EWG Properties
Applications for EWG Properties communities in Lytle and Pleasanton are submitted online through TenantCloud. The process is straightforward, and we're happy to answer questions before you apply — including being upfront about what we're looking for and what's currently available.
