Application Required Documents

2. If Employed

1. Most recent 90 days of pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings.
2. Written employment verification (HR letter or email confirming start date, position, and current status).
3. Bank statements for the most recent 60 days (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
4. Employer or HR contact information for verification (name, email, direct phone number).

3. If Self-Employed

1. Most recent two (2) years of filed federal tax returns.
2. Last 6 months of bank statements (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
3. Business documentation (EIN letter, certificate of formation, or business license).

4. If Not Employed

1. Last 3 months of bank statements (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
2. Most recent two (2) years of filed federal tax returns.

6. Pets and Assistance Animals

1. Pets (if applicable): Clear photos of each pet and current vaccination records.
2. Service Animals: Under the Fair Housing Act and Texas Property Code, service animals are dogs (or miniature horses) individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person's disability. We will not request documentation proving the animal is a certified or trained service animal, nor will we require the animal to demonstrate its task. However, we may ask:
   • Whether the applicant has a disability-related need for the animal (yes/no only — we will not ask for the nature or extent of the disability).
   • What specific task or work the animal has been trained to perform.
   No pet deposit, pet fee, or pet rent may be charged for a service animal. The applicant remains liable for any damage caused by the animal beyond normal wear and tear.
3. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and Other Assistance Animals: When the disability-related need for an ESA or other assistance animal is not obvious or known, we may request reliable documentation from a licensed healthcare professional with personal knowledge of the applicant's disability-related need, including legitimate remote care where applicable. The letter must:
   • Be written on the provider's official letterhead.
   • Include the provider's name, license type, license number, state of licensure, and direct contact information.
   • Confirm that the applicant has a disability (without disclosing the specific diagnosis).
   • State that the animal provides disability-related support or therapeutic benefit.
   • Be dated within the past 12 months.
   Online certificates, registry IDs, vest documentation, or letters from internet-based services that do not reflect a provider's personal knowledge are not accepted and do not constitute reliable documentation under HUD guidelines. No pet deposit, pet fee, or pet rent may be charged for an approved assistance animal. The applicant remains liable for damage caused by the animal beyond normal wear and tear.

7. Applicants Receiving Government or Other Benefits

1. VA (Veterans Affairs) Benefits:
   • Current VA Benefits Award Letter (dated within the past 12 months) showing benefit type, monthly amount, and effective date.
   • Most recent 2 months of bank statements confirming VA deposit amounts (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
   • DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is accepted as supplemental identity verification but is not required.
2. Social Security (SSA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
   • Current SSA Award Letter or Benefit Verification Letter (obtainable at ssa.gov) dated within the past 12 months, showing monthly benefit amount.
   • Most recent 2 months of bank statements confirming SSA/SSI deposit amounts (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
3. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
   • Current SSDI Award Letter dated within the past 12 months, showing monthly benefit amount and disability onset date.
   • Most recent 2 months of bank statements confirming SSDI deposit amounts (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
4. Retirement / Pension Income:
   • Most recent pension or retirement benefit statement (e.g., TCDRS, TRS, FERS, or private pension) dated within the past 12 months.
   • Most recent 2 months of bank statements confirming deposit amounts (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
5. Child Support or Spousal Maintenance:
   • Court order or divorce decree showing the awarded amount and duration.
   • Most recent 3 months of bank statements (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder) or OAG (Texas Office of the Attorney General) payment history confirming consistent receipt. Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
6. All Other Benefits: Official award or benefit letter from the issuing agency (dated within the past 12 months) plus most recent 2 months of bank statements confirming deposit amounts (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.

9. Section 8 / Housing Assistance Applicants (Additional Requirements)

1. Active Housing Choice Voucher showing tenant name, bedroom size, issue date, and expiration date.
2. Tenant Rent Portion Estimate, affordability worksheet, or equivalent from the assigned caseworker or Housing Authority.
3. Completed RFTA (Request for Tenancy Approval) packet (tenant sections).
4. Caseworker's full name, email address, and direct phone number.
5. Proof that household composition matches the voucher.
6. Housing Authority inspection and rent reasonableness approval are required prior to move-in.
7. HAP Contract and Housing Authority lease addendum are required after approval and inspection.
8. Housing assistance status itself is not a negative factor. Section 8 applicants are subject to the same published credit, background, and rental history requirements as all other applicants, with income calculated based on the approved tenant-paid portion where applicable. No side payments are permitted.

10. If a Guarantor is Required

A guarantor signs a separate guaranty agreement (not the lease) and is only liable if the primary tenant defaults. Guarantors are accepted only when requested by management — see Tenant Selection Criteria for eligibility.

1. Valid government-issued photo ID (color copy).
2. SSN or taxpayer identification information may be required for screening and identity verification. Please provide only the last four digits of the SSN whenever possible; if a full SSN is required, it is entered directly into the screening provider's secure intake portal. Carwoods staff do not collect, transmit, or store full SSNs by email.
3. Most recent 90 days of pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings.
4. Written employment verification (HR letter/email confirming start date, position, and current status).
5. Bank statements for the most recent 60 days (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
6. If self-employed: most recent 2 years of filed federal tax returns and last 6 months of bank statements (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
7. Landlord reference information for the past 24 months (landlord name, email, and phone number). If no rental history but paying a mortgage, provide the last 24 months of mortgage payment history.
8. Signed guaranty agreement (provided by management; separate from the lease).

11. If a Co-Signer is Required

A co-signer is not the same as a guarantor. A co-signer signs the lease itself as a co-tenant and is jointly and severally liable for all lease obligations from day one — regardless of whether the primary tenant pays. Co-signers must meet the full applicant qualification standards. See Tenant Selection Criteria for eligibility.

1. Valid government-issued photo ID (color copy).
2. SSN or taxpayer identification information may be required for screening and identity verification. Please provide only the last four digits of the SSN whenever possible; if a full SSN is required, it is entered directly into the screening provider's secure intake portal. Carwoods staff do not collect, transmit, or store full SSNs by email.
3. Most recent 90 days of pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings.
4. Written employment verification (HR letter/email confirming start date, position, and current status).
5. Bank statements for the most recent 60 days (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
6. If self-employed: most recent 2 years of filed federal tax returns and last 6 months of bank statements (original bank-exported PDFs, all pages, subject to the redaction guidance above, and clearly identifying the account holder). Additional proof of address may be requested if needed.
7. Landlord reference information for the past 24 months (landlord name, email, and phone number). If no rental history but paying a mortgage, provide the last 24 months of mortgage payment history.
8. Completed rental application and consent to full credit, background, and rental history screening.