Most landlords and property managers won’t rent to someone with a criminal record. Fortunately, some apartments are considered “felony friendly” and may be more willing to rent to felons.
We’ve compiled a complete list of apartments in 2024 that have established themselves as “felony friendly.”
These landlords do not discriminate against those who have committed felonies and understand that a felony should not prevent you from finding safe and comfortable housing.
Let’s look at all the options available so that you can find yourself the perfect place to call home.
List of Places to Get Felony-Friendly Apartments
If you’re looking for an apartment this year, here are options that are more open-minded toward applicants with felonies in their history:
- San Francisco SROs
- Denver Room & Board Houses
- New York City Co-ops
- Chicago Affordable Housing
- Los Angeles Second Chance Apartments
- Dallas Reentry Housing Program
- Houston Public Housing
- MyNewPlace
- ApartmentFinder
- Zumper
- Rent.com
- Zillow
- ApartmentList
- Move
- Craigslist
- Apartment Guide
- Bungalow
- Realtor
- ForRent.com
- Trulia
- HotPads
- PadMapper
The Benefits of Living in a Felony-Friendly Apartment
If you’re in search of an apartment that’s felony friendly, you’ve landed in the right place.
There are several advantages to living in a complex that’s mindful of your needs and considers your past.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of finding a felony-friendly apartment:
1. More Options for Lease Applications
With access to more rental options, you can choose one that best meets your current needs.
It allows you to find something suitable within your budget while meeting other criteria such as location, amenities, and other requirements.
2. Improved Credit Score
Rental payments are reported to the credit bureau and can help you rebuild and establish a positive credit history.
Showing you’ve had a year or two of steady payments will assure landlords that they can trust you as a tenant.
3. More Support For Your Overall Well Being
Living in an environment where people understand what it’s like to navigate life post-conviction can be incredibly reassuring.
You’ll be living with people who have gone through similar experiences and understand how hard it can be to make ends meet — this gives tenants more emotional and financial support.
How to Secure a Felony-Friendly Apartment
Finding a felony-friendly apartment can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. A few tips can help you make the process smoother and easier.
1. Do Your Research
Doing your research is the best way to start. Look for municipalities or neighborhoods with lenient landlord-tenant laws, those that don’t exclude people with criminal backgrounds from renting.
When searching for apartments, use keywords like “felony friendly” or “criminal background friendly” to filter out potential options.
2. Talk To The Landlord
Once you’ve found a potential spot, check the website and read reviews about the complex and landlord.
These can give you clues as to what kind of attitude they may have towards renting to people with a criminal record.
If there are none available online, reach out directly to inquire about their policy—you want an upfront answer before taking any further steps.
3. Lookup Organizations that Help Felons Find Housing
Look up organizations in your area that assist with finding housing. These programs may have resources to help you find more forgiving apartments for felonies.
Also, they can provide felons with referrals to get good apartments.
4. Consider Explicit Listings
Look for listings that explicitly list “felony-friendly” or “fair chance housing” as part of the requirements. This will give you an idea of which complexes usually allow convicted felons to rent.
5. Be Honest
When applying, always be honest about your criminal status—many landlords will run background checks.
If they find out you lied on your application, they could deny your request for housing altogether.
6. Prepare Yourself
When interviewing for the apartment, be organized and professional. Have paperwork, like references from reputable sources and proof of income (payslips from the last three months).
You need to present yourself positively—even if your landlord is willing to accept you.
They need some assurance that you’ll be able to pay rent on time and take care of the property.
Types of Support Available for Felons Moving Into the Area
Finding a felony-friendly apartment can be challenging, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Fortunately, several organizations and programs are available to help felons transition into their new environment.
1. Rental Assistance Programs
Rental assistance programs offer financial aid to help felons cover the upfront costs of renting an apartment.
Most of these programs require that the tenant meet certain income limits to qualify for the assistance.
2. Homeless Shelters
Homeless shelters provide essential services, such as access to meals and showers, temporary housing, job placement services, and other valuable resources.
Shelters can also provide referrals for available apartments or deals on rent or deposits in the area.
3. Housing Counseling Programs
Housing counseling programs advise how to search for and successfully take advantage of rental opportunities in the area.
These programs offer guidance on budgeting, credit reports, finding affordable housing options, and navigating landlord-tenant rights during the tenancy.
No matter where you’re looking for an apartment, resources, and support are available to help felons find safe and affordable housing options.
Take advantage of all the assistance available before committing to a particular complex or building to make the right decision for your situation and lifestyle.
Tips for Filling Out Applications for Felony-Friendly Apartments
You must do everything right when finding a felony-friendly apartment when filling out applications.
Here are a few things to consider when you’re completing applications:
Be honest and upfront
Above all else, be honest. If you disclose your past convictions upfront on an application,
it increases your chances of being approved. Your landlord will appreciate the honesty and respect you’ve shown them by disclosing upfront, so make sure not to hide anything.
Provide references
When renting an apartment with a criminal record, references play a significant role.
Before providing references, make sure that they are aware of your felony conviction and explain why you are applying for housing that fits with your record.
You should also provide favorable references to your responsible behavior in the past living situations or jobs.
Details matter
Some landlords may want to check education or employment history. Make sure to provide them with accurate and complete information so they can get an accurate impression of who you are and how reliable of a tenant you’ll be.
This is especially important for landlords who require rental or credit checks—providing all the necessary details will help move the process along quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
Looking for an apartment after being convicted of a felony can be daunting, but it’s not impossible.
A growing number of apartments list themselves as ‘felony friendly,’ providing housing options for individuals who have been convicted of a felony and are looking to get back on their feet and ready to re-enter society.
It’s important to remember that these apartments still have specific regulations that must be followed, so read all the rules and regulations before signing a lease.
While it may not be easy to find housing after a felony conviction, it is possible. By researching, you can find an apartment that meets all your needs.
You can find a felony-friendly apartment and start fresh with the right resources and guidance.
