Apartment Lease Readiness Calculator
Find out if your credit score, income ratio, and timeline qualify for apartment approval — and what to fix before you apply.
Target Rent & Monthly Income
Most landlords typically require a gross monthly income of at least 3× the rent.
How Landlords Evaluate Your Lease Application
Tenant screening evaluates three primary pillars: your credit score and tradeline history, your gross monthly income relative to rent (the 3× rule), and your rental/eviction record.
| Score Band | Approval Odds | Typical Deposit | Primary Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700+ (Prime) | High | Standard 1 Month (or state cap) | 3× gross monthly income |
| 650 – 699 (Competitive) | Standard | Standard 1 Month | Clean rental payment history |
| 600 – 649 (Market Floor) | Conditional | 1 to 1.5 Months (where permitted) | Strong income (3.2×+) or reference |
| < 600 (Rebuilding) | Friction | Additional deposit or Guarantor | Co-signer (700+ score) required |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my credit score is 700+ but my income is under 3× rent?
If your credit score is strong but your income falls short of the 3× standard for that specific unit, landlords typically require a lease co-signer/guarantor, verified proof of substantial liquid cash reserves, or adding a roommate co-applicant. You do not need credit repair — your focus is income verification.
Can a landlord legally ask for two months of security deposit?
It depends on your state. Several states (such as California under AB 12 and New York) legally cap residential security deposits at one month's rent for standard rentals, while other states permit up to two months for conditional applicants.
Does rent reporting help my score in time for next week's application?
Ongoing monthly rent reporting takes 1 to 2 billing cycles to appear and will not help an urgent lease application next week. However, services offering retroactive reporting (like Boom with a 24-month historical lookback) can report verified past on-time rent if the property screener reads alternative payment tradelines.