Household Income

Household income is the combined income of the people who live together and share housing costs. On a rental application it means the total gross income of every adult who will sign the lease, counted before taxes.

When a listing says "3 times the rent in combined household income," the landlord adds the applicants together. Two roommates earning $2,400 a month each have $4,800 between them and pass on a $1,500 apartment, where either one alone would fall short of $4,500.

Only signers count. Income from a partner or relative who lives in the unit without joining the lease is left out. Some landlords skip the combined approach and screen each adult separately, so read the criteria before assuming the incomes will be pooled.