Renting with a Felony: How to Find an Apartment

The short answer

A felony conviction makes renting harder, but it does not make it impossible. Here is a practical guide to finding housing with a criminal record.

A felony conviction is one of the biggest obstacles in the rental market — but millions of people with records successfully rent apartments every year. The key is knowing which landlords screen differently, what your rights are, and how to present yourself effectively.

How criminal history affects rental applications

When you apply for an apartment, most landlords run a background check that includes criminal history going back 7–10 years (and sometimes further). Landlords may use this to:

• Deny the application outright
• Request additional information or explanation
• Make no distinction (some landlords do not weigh criminal history heavily)

There is no universal rule — each landlord sets their own criteria. This works in your favor: one landlord's automatic denial may be another's background consideration.

Know your fair housing rights

HUD guidance on criminal records

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued guidance stating that blanket policies of refusing all applicants with any criminal record may violate the Fair Housing Act if they create a disparate impact based on race or national origin. Landlords are required to conduct an individualized assessment rather than a flat rejection policy.

State and local protections

Several states and cities have passed "fair chance housing" or "ban the box" laws that limit when and how landlords can ask about or use criminal history:

• California: Some cities have fair chance ordinances restricting criminal history inquiries
• New York City: Fair Chance for Housing Act restricts denial based solely on criminal history
• Seattle, WA: Fair Chance Housing Ordinance (one of the strongest in the US)
• Denver, CO: Source of Income discrimination protections extend to some record situations

Check your local laws before assuming the worst — your city may have stronger protections than federal baseline.

Strategies that work

1. Target private landlords over large property managers

Large property management companies often use automated screening tools that flag and auto-reject felony convictions. Individual landlords are far more likely to review applications personally and make case-by-case decisions.

2. Be upfront before they find out

Proactively disclosing your conviction — with context — consistently performs better than letting the background check reveal it without explanation. Write a brief, honest cover letter that:

• States the offense and when it occurred
• Explains what changed since then (employment, rehabilitation, time)
• Emphasizes your rental references and financial stability
• Expresses your commitment to being a reliable tenant

Keep it short — two to three paragraphs. Do not over-explain or be defensive.

3. Build a strong compensating application

A strong financial profile can offset risk concerns. Bring:

• Bank statements showing stable, sufficient income
• References from employers, previous landlords (if any), or community leaders
• Pre-verification from a service like Settl showing verified identity and income
• Offer to pay a larger deposit (where legally permitted)

4. Look for reentry-friendly housing resources

Many cities have nonprofit organizations, reentry programs, and housing coalitions that maintain lists of landlords known to rent to people with records. Search for "reentry housing [your city]" or contact local legal aid organizations.

5. Consider rooms-for-rent and shared housing first

Individual room rentals, shared housing situations, and month-to-month arrangements often involve less formal screening. Building a positive rental reference in one of these situations can help you qualify for more traditional apartments later.

Types of convictions that are most difficult

While all felonies create obstacles, some are more challenging than others:

• Sex offenses (often permanent registry and restrictions)
• Recent violent crimes (less than 5 years old)
• Drug manufacturing convictions (some landlords have specific policies)

For offenses in these categories, reentry-focused nonprofits and legal aid are your best first call.

Time matters

Most landlords weigh recency heavily. A felony from 10 years ago with a clean record since is viewed very differently from one from 2 years ago. If you have been out of the system for 5+ years with consistent employment and positive references, emphasize this directly.

Bottom line

Renting with a felony is genuinely harder — but far from impossible. The most effective approach combines honesty, a strong compensating financial profile, targeted landlord outreach, and awareness of your legal rights. Private landlords, fair-chance cities, and reentry resources are your best starting points.

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