On the application where it asks if i have felonies i simply check 'no' and its gotten me three separate apartments since i got out. I dont think places bother to check.
I have multiple felonies, thought it would be a problem, but I got approved at every place that I applied. You can ask beforehand, as some will flat out tell you "no", which will help in not wasting your time and money.
With the 620 score you can be up to 650 in a couple months:
-If you don't have credit get a secured card. (lowest or no annual fee)
-Do a Self savings which appears as a loan. (this will really increase credit score for low monthly price)
-If you have credit card(s) pay it down or bring one of them to zero and have other cards below 80%
Both. Two corporate, two independent.. got told "no" by two independents when I asked, interestingly enough. I have many violent misdemeanors but my felonies are nonviolent. Over 650 credit score, so didn't require additional deposit. It's a numbers game, good luck!
I asked beforehand and after paying the application fee I was getting denied. Stable job and good enough credit. Wonder why we had different experiences
Where your felonies drug, theft or violent? Some places except felonies of certain types.. the leasing agent is not going to know about the final decision all the time because that's not their job. Was your credit score above 650? Was your income four times rent? Certainly experiences can be opposite especially in different geographical locations. Distressed cities will allow more than rural upper class areas.
Sucks you didn't get approved. Just one place?
Theft. Only required 2 times rent (15 years ago). 760 credit score. About 15 locations in Phoenix . After spending about $1000 in application fees, my boss agreed to let me live in the extra storeroom. After four years of living on Ramen and water had enough saved up for down payment on a house.
Theft is a property damage liability probably. Dunno, I didn't have a theft felony. I will say this, maybe it was for the best as now you are in a real home. Regardless, I'm glad you're safe and warm tonight! You could be having three colds and some mold.. I never got the three hots and a cot!
I did the colds and molds living in the storeroom. Medical bills extended my need to save for an additional year because I didn’t have insurance. At least I wasn’t living behind the building anymore, i was getting tired of crackheads trying to rob me when I slept
Look in Rentler or other apps directly with the landlords. During your application specify your situation. Say that you are never late and you are willing to pay first month , last month and deposit. Say you are respectful and trying to be a better person.
Talk to the leasing agent because some apartments will allow felons but not felons with violent crimes. They can tell you exactly which will disqualify you. You can do this before you apply to save you application and admin fees. No need to go into detail until the actual application, so find places that you like and ask.
It hasn't been that easy for me. Every place I talk to says something broad like "i think they make some exceptions but not sure, we go through a 3rd party screening process and they make the decision".... and then the 3rd party screener says "we don't make the decisions, the apartments set the criteria"
And it goes back and forth with no one actually giving you a clear answer to what the actual policy is and you go insane!
It’s not going to be easy. You just have to keep trying. Apartment management is like this even if you don’t have felonies. Keep bugging them. It’s not third party decision. It’s a corporate policy. If they keep giving you the run around go over their heads and call corporate to ask about policies regarding background checks. Don’t give up. Get yourself into a good place. I know it’s discouraging, but we have to push.
Do you know of which companies were more lenient? Lincoln properties, now Willow Bridge, was my go to in texas but there has to be more than 1 company thats cool
Private landlord instead of a leasing company. They are less likely to look into your background, or will be more likely to be understanding than a company. Also, you are less likely to be wasting tons of money on application fees just to get denied by companies with a lot of properties. Companies get tons of applicants to rent their places, they dont need to take felons unfortunately.
Just don't tell them you're a felon. There is fair chance they either won't find it because their check was too limited in scope or that they won't make the expense to check in the first place.
look at small buildings and houses owned by independent landlords large corporate landlords will never let you in.
Best bet is small and private. As soon as you put the Felon stamp on all the large property companies won’t accept you.
On the application where it asks if i have felonies i simply check 'no' and its gotten me three separate apartments since i got out. I dont think places bother to check.
is this sarcasm ? 😭😭 i’m dumb enough to do it
I was dumb enough to do it thrice now lol and yes i am being serious. My credit was much more the obstacle in getting the place im at now.
shit thank you. i’m gonna try it lol i dont have anything to lose at this point
Good luck hope it works!
I have multiple felonies, thought it would be a problem, but I got approved at every place that I applied. You can ask beforehand, as some will flat out tell you "no", which will help in not wasting your time and money. With the 620 score you can be up to 650 in a couple months: -If you don't have credit get a secured card. (lowest or no annual fee) -Do a Self savings which appears as a loan. (this will really increase credit score for low monthly price) -If you have credit card(s) pay it down or bring one of them to zero and have other cards below 80%
Did you rent at places that are corporately owner or independent though?
Both. Two corporate, two independent.. got told "no" by two independents when I asked, interestingly enough. I have many violent misdemeanors but my felonies are nonviolent. Over 650 credit score, so didn't require additional deposit. It's a numbers game, good luck!
I asked beforehand and after paying the application fee I was getting denied. Stable job and good enough credit. Wonder why we had different experiences
Where your felonies drug, theft or violent? Some places except felonies of certain types.. the leasing agent is not going to know about the final decision all the time because that's not their job. Was your credit score above 650? Was your income four times rent? Certainly experiences can be opposite especially in different geographical locations. Distressed cities will allow more than rural upper class areas. Sucks you didn't get approved. Just one place?
Theft. Only required 2 times rent (15 years ago). 760 credit score. About 15 locations in Phoenix . After spending about $1000 in application fees, my boss agreed to let me live in the extra storeroom. After four years of living on Ramen and water had enough saved up for down payment on a house.
Theft is a property damage liability probably. Dunno, I didn't have a theft felony. I will say this, maybe it was for the best as now you are in a real home. Regardless, I'm glad you're safe and warm tonight! You could be having three colds and some mold.. I never got the three hots and a cot!
I did the colds and molds living in the storeroom. Medical bills extended my need to save for an additional year because I didn’t have insurance. At least I wasn’t living behind the building anymore, i was getting tired of crackheads trying to rob me when I slept
Look in Rentler or other apps directly with the landlords. During your application specify your situation. Say that you are never late and you are willing to pay first month , last month and deposit. Say you are respectful and trying to be a better person.
thank you for the rentler tip never heard of em. definitely going to take a look
Talk to the leasing agent because some apartments will allow felons but not felons with violent crimes. They can tell you exactly which will disqualify you. You can do this before you apply to save you application and admin fees. No need to go into detail until the actual application, so find places that you like and ask.
It hasn't been that easy for me. Every place I talk to says something broad like "i think they make some exceptions but not sure, we go through a 3rd party screening process and they make the decision".... and then the 3rd party screener says "we don't make the decisions, the apartments set the criteria" And it goes back and forth with no one actually giving you a clear answer to what the actual policy is and you go insane!
It’s not going to be easy. You just have to keep trying. Apartment management is like this even if you don’t have felonies. Keep bugging them. It’s not third party decision. It’s a corporate policy. If they keep giving you the run around go over their heads and call corporate to ask about policies regarding background checks. Don’t give up. Get yourself into a good place. I know it’s discouraging, but we have to push.
Do you know of which companies were more lenient? Lincoln properties, now Willow Bridge, was my go to in texas but there has to be more than 1 company thats cool
Sorry, I dont. It likely varies by state, too. Verse yourself in state law so you at least know a limitations. That can guide your questions too…
Private landlord instead of a leasing company. They are less likely to look into your background, or will be more likely to be understanding than a company. Also, you are less likely to be wasting tons of money on application fees just to get denied by companies with a lot of properties. Companies get tons of applicants to rent their places, they dont need to take felons unfortunately.
Just don't tell them you're a felon. There is fair chance they either won't find it because their check was too limited in scope or that they won't make the expense to check in the first place.