Rent and applications
How do I prove income for an apartment if I am self-employed or freelance?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Use tax returns and bank statements instead of pay stubs. Most landlords accept your last one or two years of tax returns, recent bank statements showing regular deposits, and 1099 forms or client invoices. A letter from an accountant and a current profit-and-loss statement help if your income has grown since your last return.
Landlords worry that self-employed income is irregular, so your goal is to show it is steady and likely to continue.
- Federal tax returns for the last year or two, including the schedule that shows your business income.
- Three to six months of bank statements showing consistent deposits.
- 1099 forms from regular clients, or signed contracts showing ongoing work.
- A short letter from your accountant or bookkeeper confirming your income, if you have one.
- Proof of savings, which reassures landlords about slow months.
Know that landlords usually go by the income on your tax return after business expenses, not your gross revenue. If you write off a lot, your qualifying income may look lower than what you actually live on. Be ready to explain it, or use savings or a guarantor to make up the difference.
Put everything in one tidy PDF with a one-paragraph summary at the top: what you do, how long you have done it, and your average monthly income. A landlord who can understand your finances in two minutes is far more likely to approve you than one handed a pile of statements.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting Your First Apartment: Applications, Leases and Move-in Costs.