# What to Include in an Apartment Search Request | IBA > A field-by-field guide to completing your apartment search request so your 48-hour list is as useful as possible. No SSN or documents needed. URL: https://incomebasedapartments.com/guide/what-to-include-in-apartment-search-request/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-12 Tags: what to include in apartment search request, apartment search form tips, apartment locator information needed Housing Guides # What to Include in Your Apartment Search Request A field-by-field guide to completing your apartment search request so your 48-hour list is as useful as possible. No SSN or documents needed. By the Income Based Apartment Team [/about/ →](/about/) · Updated October 12, 2026 · 5 min read ![Young mother filling out an online apartment search form on her phone at a kitchen table](/images/featured/young-texas-mother-at-a-kitchen-table-filling-out-.webp) Please note This guide is general information, not legal or program advice. Rules change, and each property confirms its own rents, eligibility, and screening requirements. ## What Does an Apartment Search Request Do? An apartment search request tells our team what you need in your next home, so we can do personalized apartment research [/ →](/) for you. The more complete it is, the more useful your list will be. A good request takes about five minutes, and you don’t need any documents. This guide walks through each part of the request, what to enter, and why we ask. If you’re ready, you can start your apartment search request [/apartment-search-request/ →](/apartment-search-request/) and come back here if a field gives you pause. ![Hands writing a move checklist next to a phone](/images/content/close-up-of-hands-writing-a-move-checklist-next-to.webp) One thing to know up front: a search request is not a rental application. We use your answers to research communities that may fit. Each community confirms its own rents, availability, eligibility, and screening rules, and makes its own approval decisions. > **What we never ask for** > > We never request Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, ID documents, or income-verification uploads for a research request. If anyone asks for these to “hold your spot” on a list, be cautious. ## Step 1: Location and Timing **Primary city.** Choose Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, or San Antonio. This sets the market we start with. **Preferred suburbs, neighborhoods, or ZIP codes.** Be as specific as you like. “Near my job in Irving” or “Pearland or Friendswood” both help. If you’re open to anywhere in the metro, say that. **Other areas you’d consider.** You can add more than one market. Many renters search Dallas and Fort Worth together, or Austin and San Antonio along I-35. We list each community once, even if it fits more than one area. **How far you’re willing to move.** This tells us how wide to look. A tighter radius gives a shorter, more focused list. A wider one may surface more options. **Target move date or range.** A range like “December 15 to January 31” gives us more room than a single date. Availability changes quickly, so timing matters. ## Step 2: Budget and Household ![Couple reviewing their household budget on a laptop](/images/content/couple-reviewing-their-household-budget-on-a-lapto.webp) This is where most of the research decisions come from. | Field | What to enter | Why it matters | | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly rent budget | The most you can comfortably pay | We research around it, not above it | | Gross household income | Approximate total before taxes | Income limits and minimum-income rules both use it | | Income frequency | Monthly or annually | So we convert it correctly | | Household size | Everyone who will live with you | Income limits rise with household size | | Bedrooms needed | Studio to 4+ | Unit size affects rent caps and occupancy rules | Enter your approximate household income before taxes. It helps us research potential apartment options and is not an eligibility decision. If your pay changes week to week, a reasonable average is fine. Our guide on how household income is calculated [/guide/how-household-income-is-calculated/ →](/guide/how-household-income-is-calculated/) explains how properties usually count it later. ## Optional Fields That Make Your List Better You can skip these, but each one helps when it applies: - **Voucher status.** Tell us if you have a Housing Choice Voucher, are on a waiting list, or prefer not to say. We don’t issue vouchers, but the answer shapes the research. - **Pets.** Type, size, and number. Pet rules and fees vary a lot. - **Accessibility features.** Describe the features you need, like a ground-floor unit or no stairs. Please don’t share medical details. - **Credit or rental history.** A short, optional note is enough if something might affect screening. We never promise approvals. - **Other considerations.** Transit routes, a school, a 55+ community, a student household, or anything else that matters. ## Step 3: Contact and Delivery Enter your full name, email address, and mobile number. We use them to deliver your list by text and email and to contact you if we need clarification. Marketing updates are a separate, optional checkbox. Double-check your email and phone number before you submit. A typo is the most common reason a list doesn’t arrive. If you can’t use the form or can’t receive texts, email texas@incomebasedapartments.com [mailto:texas@incomebasedapartments.com →](mailto:texas@incomebasedapartments.com) and we’ll help another way. ## What Happens After You Submit? You’ll see a confirmation page. Our team reviews your request, researches communities, and contacts leasing staff when something needs clarifying. Your list arrives within 48 hours. Our guide on what your list will contain [/guide/how-to-read-your-apartment-list/ →](/guide/how-to-read-your-apartment-list/) explains each field and label, so you can act on it right away. Got Questions? ## Common Questions ### Do I need to upload pay stubs? No. A research request only needs your approximate gross income. Documents come later, and they go to a property only if you decide to apply there. ### Why do you ask for household size? Income limits for tax credit and income-restricted units depend on household size, and so does the bedroom count that fits you. Without it, we can't tell which limits may apply. ### Can I choose more than one city? Yes. Pick a primary city, add other areas you'd consider, and tell us how far you're willing to move. Each community appears on your list once. ### What if I don't know my exact income? An honest estimate is fine. Use your best guess of gross household income before taxes, monthly or yearly. You'll confirm exact figures with a property when you apply. Keep Reading ## Related Housing Guides Housing Guide ### How to Read Your Apartment List: Confirmed vs. Needs-Confirmation Details What each field on your apartment list means, including program type, dated rent, income criteria, and availability source, and how to act on what still needs confirmation. Read guide [How to Read Your Apartment List: Confirmed vs. Needs-Confirmation Details →](/guide/how-to-read-your-apartment-list/) Housing Guide ### Finding Affordable Apartment Options Without a Voucher No housing voucher? See which Texas apartment types to consider, including tax credit, income-restricted, and lower minimum-income properties, and their trade-offs. Read guide [Finding Affordable Apartment Options Without a Voucher →](/guide/affordable-apartments-without-a-voucher/) Housing Guide ### Comparing Rent, Utilities, Deposits, and Mandatory Fees Compare the true cost of Texas apartments: base rent vs total monthly cost, utilities and utility allowances, mandatory fees, deposits, and move-in costs. Read guide [Comparing Rent, Utilities, Deposits, and Mandatory Fees →](/guide/comparing-rent-utilities-deposits-fees/) Housing Guide ### How to Recognize Housing Application Scams in Texas Spot rental scams before you pay: pay-before-viewing, wire or gift-card requests, guaranteed approval, and fake waiting-list fees. How to verify and report them. Read guide [How to Recognize Housing Application Scams in Texas →](/guide/housing-application-scams-texas/) ## Ready when you are Get a personalized apartment list based on your income, budget, and location, delivered within 48 hours. Get My Apartment List [/apartment-search-request/ →](/apartment-search-request/)