When you apply to rent a home or apartment in Texas, one of the first things a landlord will check is whether your income meets their threshold. At EWG Properties, we use a 2.5 times the monthly rent standard — and we accept a wide range of income sources. Here is a plain-English breakdown of how it works.
The 2.5× Rule Explained
The income threshold means your verifiable gross monthly income should equal at least 2.5 times the monthly rent amount. Gross income is what you earn before taxes and deductions — not your take-home pay.
Example calculation
Monthly rent: $900
2.5 × $900 = $2,250
Required gross monthly income: $2,250+
If your rent is $900/month, you need to show at least $2,250 in verifiable gross monthly income to meet the threshold. Multiple income sources can be combined to reach this number.
What Income Sources Count?
We accept a wide range of income types. What matters is that the income is verifiable and consistent.
W-2 Employment Income
Traditional payroll income from a full-time or part-time employer. This is the easiest to verify — pay stubs clearly show gross pay, pay period, and year-to-date earnings.
Self-Employment and 1099 Income
Freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, and small business owners can use their self-employment income. Because there are no pay stubs from an employer, we typically ask for two years of signed federal tax returns or 1099 forms to establish consistent income history.
Social Security, SSI, and SSDI
Social Security retirement income, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) all count as verifiable income. A current benefit verification letter from the Social Security Administration is the standard documentation. These letters are available for free at ssa.gov or at your local SSA office.
Child Support and Alimony
Court-ordered child support and spousal maintenance count as income when you can show that payments are regular and ongoing. Documentation typically includes a court order and recent bank statements showing deposits.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
If you have a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), we calculate your income based on the portion of the rent you pay out of pocket — not the full contract rent. Your voucher covers the rest, and you are responsible only for your tenant share. Your Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract confirms the breakdown.
For example: if the contract rent is $900 and your voucher covers $600, your tenant share is $300/month. We apply the 2.5× threshold to your $300 share — meaning you would need $750/month in verifiable income, not $2,250.
We credit any voucher subsidy directly to your account and calculate your tenant share accordingly. See our article on Housing Choice Vouchers in Texas for more detail on how HCV works in practice.
Other Income Sources
Pension or retirement distributions, Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and other regular, documented income may also count. Contact us if you have a non-standard income source and we will let you know what documentation is needed.
Document Checklist
Gather these before you start your application:
- W-2 employees: two most recent pay stubs showing gross pay
- Self-employed / 1099: two years of signed federal tax returns or 1099 forms, and optionally three months of bank statements
- Social Security / SSI / SSDI: current Social Security benefit verification letter (dated within the last 12 months)
- Child support / alimony: court order and three months of bank statements showing deposits
- Housing Choice Voucher: current voucher or Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract showing your tenant share
- Multiple sources: documentation for each; totals are combined
Tip: scan or photograph your documents before you start your online application so you can upload them without interruption. Our application is processed through the Tenant Portal, which accepts PDF and image uploads.
What If You’re Close but Not There?
If your income is near the threshold but falls slightly short, combining household income from all adult leaseholders on the application can help you meet the requirement. A strong rental history — documented by a current landlord reference or prior lease records — is also a positive factor we consider alongside the income calculation.
If you have questions about your specific situation before applying, reach out to us at (210) 698-6900 or info@eastwestgroup.io. We are happy to answer questions before you submit a formal application.
Bottom Line
The income requirement is about verifiability, not income type. W-2, 1099, SSI, SSDI, child support, or a housing voucher — any consistent, documentable income source can satisfy the 2.5× threshold. Get your documents together before you apply, and do not hesitate to ask us if you have questions about what we accept.
Ready to apply? Browse available rentals and submit your application online — most applications are processed within 1–2 business days. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see our guide to What Happens After You Apply.
