Rental Guidelines

 

We are an Equal Housing Opportunity firm. We accept Housing Choice Vouchers and other housing subsidies, and we do not refuse to rent, or apply different terms, because an applicant uses a voucher or subsidy.

 

Our screening standards vary by jurisdiction and we are currently updating them. The written criteria for the property you are applying to will be provided to you before you apply, and properties are rented to the first qualified applicant who meets those written criteria.

 

Credit. We review credit reports for information relevant to a tenancy. A credit score, or the absence of one, is never the sole basis for a denial. For applicants using a voucher or subsidy in the District of Columbia, credit is not considered.

 

Rental history. We contact prior housing providers and review rental history relevant to the tenancy, assessed individually. We do not consider nonpayment or late payment that occurred during any period when an applicant did not have a housing subsidy, where the law so provides.

 

Background. We do not request or consider criminal history before extending a conditional offer of housing. After a conditional offer we consider only what the law of that jurisdiction permits, within the applicable lookback period, assessed individually, and applicants may submit evidence of rehabilitation before any offer is withdrawn. We do not consider arrest records that did not result in a conviction, and we do not consider whether an applicant has previously been in litigation with a housing provider.

 

Income. We verify income and its sources. For applicants using a voucher or subsidy, income is measured against the tenant's portion of the rent, not the full market rent.

 

Fees. Application fees comply with the cap and refund rules of the jurisdiction where the property is located.

 

Pets. All pets are considered on a case-by-case basis at properties that allow pets, and not all properties allow pets. All pets must be included at the time of application. An additional pet payment, pet administration fee, pet rent, or additional security deposit may be required if a pet is accepted. It is the applicant's duty to verify whether the type of pet is allowed by any homeowner's or condominium association.

 

If you think there may be a reason you would not qualify, contact your leasing agent. In some cases a higher deposit or other terms may be available.