Is 3x rent gross or net?

Gross, in most cases. When a landlord asks for 3 times the rent, the usual meaning is income before taxes and deductions, the top-line figure on a pay stub or offer letter. A minority of landlords use net, or take-home, pay. The listing or application should say which, and it is worth asking before you pay a fee.

The difference is large. On $1,500 rent, 3x gross is a $54,000 salary. To bring home $4,500 a month after taxes, most workers need to earn well above that.

Self-employed applicants are the common exception. With no pay stub to read, landlords often look at the net profit on a tax return. The guide to gross vs net income on a rental application covers what counts in each case.