Find a Rental in the DMV | The Credle Group — MD · DC · VA
Rentals — MD · DC · Virginia

Find Your Next
Rental the
Right Way.

Know exactly what you qualify for before you waste time touring homes you can't get. Submit your rental profile first — we'll match you to the right properties, save you from duplicate application fees, and help you move fast when the right place hits.

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Fair Housing — Equal Opportunity
The Credle Group abides by all Fair Housing laws. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. We proudly accept Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), relocation programs, and case-managed housing assistance. All applicants are evaluated on the same criteria.
Before You Tour — Read This
Submitting your rental profile first protects you from wasted time and avoids paying multiple application fees on properties you may not qualify for.
Why we do it this way
  • Landlords want pre-screened applicants — gets you seen first
  • Saves you $30–$75 per application on properties that aren't a fit
  • We only show you homes your profile matches — no wasted tours
  • Your rental package goes to the landlord before you view — stronger position
🏡 Submit My Rental Profile First
🏡
PropertiesZillow · Bright MLS · Private
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VouchersSection 8 Accepted
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CoverageMD · DC · Virginia
⚖️
Fair HousingEqual Opportunity
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AlsoPath to Homeownership
The Rental Process

From First Inquiry
to Move-In Keys.

Five steps. No surprises. Every requirement spelled out before you spend a dollar or sign anything.

📋
Step 01
Submit Your Rental Inquiry + Profile

Before touring any property, fill out your rental inquiry form. This tells us your target rent range, move-in date, household size, pets, voucher status, and preferred areas. We use this to pre-screen properties and present your profile to landlords — which means you often get priority over walk-in applicants.

Complete before touring Protects you from wasted applications Sent to landlord before viewing
Step 02
Qualification Review

We review your credit score, income, rental history, and documentation against each property's specific criteria. Not every property has identical requirements — we match you to properties where you're the strongest applicant. If there are gaps, we'll tell you upfront and walk through options.

Credit 580+ preferred Income: 2.5–3× monthly rent 6+ months employment Vouchers accepted
📁
Step 03
Document Collection

Gather your documents before you tour — landlords move fast, and having your package ready means you can submit an application the same day you find the right unit. See the full checklist below. Missing documents are the #1 reason applicants lose properties they wanted.

ID for all adult occupants Proof of income Landlord references Pet docs if applicable
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Step 04
Property Matching + Touring

Once your profile is submitted and documents are prepped, we send you a curated list of available properties that match your criteria — from Zillow Rentals, Bright MLS, and our private landlord network. You only tour properties where your profile is a strong fit. We walk through the property with you or provide guidance on what to look for.

Zillow Rentals Bright MLS listings Private landlord network Pre-screened matches only
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Step 05
Application, Approval & Move-In

Submit your application — typically a $30–$75 fee for the landlord's background and credit check. If approved, you'll sign the lease, pay the security deposit and first month's rent, and schedule your move-in. We'll walk through the lease with you and flag anything unusual before you sign.

Application fee: $30–$75 typical Security deposit: 1–2 months First month at signing Lease review included
Qualification Criteria

Do You Qualify?
Know Before You Apply.

These are standard criteria — individual landlords may adjust requirements. We'll always confirm property-specific criteria before you submit an application and pay a fee.

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Credit Score
600+ — standard approval
580–599 — may qualify with additional deposit (up to ½ month extra)
Below 580 — case-by-case; stronger income or co-signer may help
No credit history — strong income and references may substitute
Active collections, judgments, or prior evictions — disclose upfront; we'll advise
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Income Requirements
Minimum 2.5–3× monthly rent in gross verifiable income
W2 employee: last 2 pay stubs verify income
Self-employed: 2 years tax returns + bank statements
Multiple income sources may be combined (household income)
Voucher holders: HAP + tenant portion combined = qualifying income
Retirement / disability / SSI accepted with verification letter
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Employment & Stability
6+ months at current employer preferred
New job with offer letter — case by case, income must qualify
Self-employed: 2-year history of self-employment income
Gaps in employment — explain in writing with documentation
Military, government, and federal employees — strong profile
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Rental History
No evictions in the last 3 years
Eviction older than 3 years — disclose with documentation; may still qualify
First-time renter — provide character references and strong income
Positive landlord references strengthen any application significantly
Prior balance owed to landlord — must be paid or settled with docs
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Pets & Occupants
All occupants 18 and older must be listed on the application
Pets: case by case — breed and weight restrictions may apply per property
Pet deposit: $200–$500 non-refundable (per property)
Service animals and ESAs: protected under Fair Housing — cannot be denied
Pet vaccine records and breed documentation required at application
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Background Check
Standard background check run by landlord at application
Criminal history review varies by property and state law
MD, DC, and VA each have different protections — we'll advise
Disclose known issues upfront — surprises at the check hurt your position
Strong rental history and income offset many background concerns
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Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) + Relocation Programs — Welcome
We accept HCV/Section 8, HPAP, relocation assistance, and case-managed housing programs. Voucher holders are evaluated on the same criteria as all applicants. Provide your voucher paperwork and case manager contact when submitting your inquiry. We work with your case manager directly to ensure a smooth process.
Document Checklist

Get Your Package
Ready Before You Tour.

Landlords move fast. Having your documents ready means you can submit the same day you find the right unit. Check off what you have — we'll tell you what's missing.

📋 Required — All Applicants
Government-issued photo ID — all adult occupantsDriver's license, passport, or state ID
Last 2 pay stubs (W2 employees)Must show name, employer, and pay dates
Last 2 months bank statementsAll pages — shows reserves and income deposits
Rental history — landlord referencesName, phone, and relationship for past 2 landlords
Completed rental applicationVia our form or landlord's specific application
0 of 5 documents ready
💼 Self-Employed / 1099
Last 2 years personal tax returnsAll schedules — Schedule C, E, etc.
Last 2 years business tax returns (if applicable)Partnership, S-corp, or LLC returns
Year-to-date Profit & Loss statementCurrent year income summary — CPA prepared preferred
Business license or proof of businessLLC registration, DBA filing, or business bank statements
0 of 4 documents ready
🎫 Voucher / Relocation / Section 8
Current Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) paperworkValid voucher with expiration date
Case manager contact informationName, agency, phone, and email
Voucher amount / Payment Standard letterShows HAP amount and tenant portion
Move-in inspection authorization / RFTARequest for Tenancy Approval — landlord will need this
0 of 4 documents ready
🐾 Pet Owners
Up-to-date vaccine records for all petsRabies, DHPP, Bordetella (dogs) or FVRCP (cats)
Pet breed, weight, and age documentationSome landlords restrict breeds or weight over 50 lbs
Pet photoSome landlords request a photo of the pet
ESA / Service animal documentation (if applicable)ESA letter from licensed provider — cannot be denied per Fair Housing
0 of 4 documents ready
Move-In Cost Calculator

Know Exactly What
You Need to Move In.

No surprises at move-in. Run your numbers before you apply so you know exactly how much cash to have ready on day one.

Move-In Cost Estimator
Includes security deposit, first month, pet deposit, application fees, and moving costs. Know your total before you fall in love with a unit.
Total Move-In
Monthly Rent
Income Status
First Month's Rent
Security Deposit
Low Credit Additional Deposit
Pet Deposit
Application Fee
Moving + Utilities Setup
Total Cash Needed to Move In
This is an estimate — actual deposits and fees are set by the landlord and may vary by property. Security deposits are typically refundable (minus damages). Pet deposits are usually non-refundable. Submit your profile to find matching properties →
Renter-to-Homeowner Pathway

Renting is a
Stepping Stone —
Not the Destination.

If you're ready to stop paying someone else's mortgage, we have a clear 8-step path from where you are right now to keys in hand — including $0-down programs you may not know exist.

01
Budget + Payment Comfort Check

Know what monthly payment you're comfortable with — use it to back into your target price range.

02
Credit + Income Review

Free consultation — we assess your credit, income, and identify what you qualify for today vs. what you need to work toward.

03
DPA + Grant Eligibility

Check qualification for MDHCD (MD up to $25K), HPAP (DC up to $202K), VHDA (VA), VA loan ($0 down), USDA ($0 down), and employer grants.

04
Pre-Approval through NFM Lending

Real pre-approval — not a guess. Credit coaching available if needed. Documents list provided same day.

05
Home Search + Portal Access

RealScout access, VIP alerts, up to 10 showings, and off-market opportunities. $500+ buyer credit at closing.

06–08
Offer → Close → Protect + Build

Offer strategy, inspection, appraisal, title, and close. Post-close: life insurance, home insurance, and a 30-day check-in. You're a homeowner.

🏡 Ready to Stop Renting?

You May Already
Qualify to Buy.

Most first-time buyers don't realize how many assistance programs exist — or that they qualify for them. A 15-minute consultation with us costs nothing and tells you exactly where you stand.

FHA — 3.5% down
Conventional — 3% down
VA — $0 down
USDA — $0 down
HPAP — up to $202K
MDHCD — up to $25K
VHDA — up to $15K
Employer Grants
$500+
Buyer credit at closing
Plus free RealScout access + VIP alerts
🏠 See If I Qualify to Buy Book a Free Homebuyer Consultation
Commercial & Subleasing

Looking for
Office or Retail Space?

We handle commercial leasing, subleasing, and business-for-sale referrals across the DMV. Whether you're expanding, downsizing, or relocating your business — we connect you to the right space.

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Office Space

Professional office leasing from private suites to full floors. Target areas include Gaithersburg, Rockville, Silver Spring, DC, and NOVA commercial corridors.

Commission: 3–6% of total lease value
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Retail / Restaurant

Ground-floor retail, strip center space, and food service buildouts. We help you evaluate buildout costs, lease terms, percentage rent clauses, and renewal options.

Commission: 3–5% of total lease value
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Subleasing

Have extra office space? Need to exit a lease early? We handle sublease marketing, tenant matching, and landlord consent negotiations on your behalf.

Flat fee or % — negotiated per situation
FAQ

Renter Questions —
Answered.

Why do I have to submit a profile before searching properties?
Two reasons: (1) We send your profile to landlords before your showing, which puts you ahead of applicants who walk in cold. (2) We can only show you properties that match your qualification criteria — saving you from paying $30–$75 application fees at properties you're unlikely to get.
Do you accept Section 8 vouchers?
Yes. We work with Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) holders, HPAP recipients, relocation programs, and case-managed housing. Voucher holders are evaluated on the same criteria as all applicants. Provide your voucher paperwork and case manager contact when submitting your inquiry — we work directly with your case manager to streamline the process.
What if my credit score is below 600?
You may still qualify with a lower score. Options include: an additional deposit (up to ½ month extra), a co-signer with stronger credit, or a landlord who focuses more on income and rental history than score. Disclose your score upfront — we'll advise which properties are realistic and avoid wasting your application fee on properties that won't approve you.
How much cash do I need to move in?
Typically: first month's rent + security deposit (1–2 months) + pet deposit if applicable + application fee. On a $2,000/month rental with standard 1-month deposit and no pets, expect to bring roughly $4,050–$4,100 at move-in. Use the Move-In Cost Calculator above for your specific situation.
Can I have a co-signer if I don't qualify on my own?
Yes — many landlords accept co-signers (also called guarantors). The co-signer must typically meet the same income and credit requirements, and in some cases higher minimums. The co-signer takes on legal responsibility for the lease if you default. Not all landlords accept co-signers — confirm before paying an application fee.
Do you help with ESA / service animal housing?
Yes. Under Fair Housing law, landlords cannot deny housing to applicants with documented ESAs or service animals — even in "no pets" properties. Pet deposits cannot be charged for service animals. ESA letter must come from a licensed mental health professional. We'll help ensure your rights are protected during the application process.
What is the application fee for?
Application fees ($30–$75 typical) cover the landlord's cost to run your credit report and background check through a screening service. These fees are typically non-refundable regardless of approval outcome. This is why we pre-screen you first — so you only pay application fees on properties where you're a strong candidate.
How long does the rental process take?
From application submission to approval: typically 2–5 business days for credit and background check. Some landlords decide same-day. From approval to move-in: usually 7–30 days depending on the current tenant's move-out and property readiness. Having your documents prepped in advance compresses this timeline significantly.
What happens if I'm denied?
Landlords must provide an Adverse Action Notice explaining why you were denied — typically credit score, income, eviction history, or background. We'll review the denial reason with you and advise on next steps: whether to apply at another property, work on the issue, or explore the path to homeownership while your credit strengthens.
Is the security deposit refundable?
Yes — security deposits are typically refundable, minus documented damages beyond normal wear and tear. Each state has specific rules: MD landlords must return deposits within 45 days; VA within 45 days; DC within 45 days. Keep records of your move-in condition (photos and video) to protect your deposit when you leave.
Can I transition from renting to buying?
Yes — and you may qualify sooner than you think. We offer a free consultation to review your credit, income, and DPA eligibility. Programs like HPAP (DC, up to $202K), MDHCD (MD, up to $25K), and VA loans ($0 down) make homeownership accessible with lower credit and down payment than most renters realize. See the Renter-to-Homeowner section above.
Your Next Step

Submit Your Profile.
Find Your Home.

Two minutes to submit. We match you to the right properties, share your package with landlords before you tour, and walk you through every step — from inquiry to keys.