Explain These Points If a Felony May Prevent You From Securing an Apartment Lease
Posted on: 14 December 2016
When you plan to rent an apartment from a reputable rental company, you'll often be subject to a background check that will verify your credit history and even dig into any criminal history you may have. A felony on your record can sometimes make it challenging to rent your apartment, which can leave you in a predicament if your criminal record isn't spotless. Depending on the rental company, however, you may be able to plead your case and secure the lease with the help of a co-signer. Here are some points that may be relevant to you and your criminal history that you should discuss with a rental agent.
The Conviction Happened Many Years Ago
Many people make mistakes when they're young, but these mistakes can often follow them around in the form of a criminal record. If you were convicted of a crime when you were younger, make sure that the rental agent knows that many years have passed between this conviction and the present day. For example, if you broke the law at 19 years old but haven't had any brushes with the law for the last 15 years, the rental company may feel that the conviction was a one-time occurrence and, as such, may be inclined to move forward with allowing you to rent an apartment.
There Were Understandable Circumstances
Many people who are convicted of crimes will provide a long story about why they were wrongfully accused, but there may be understandable circumstances related to your brush with the law. If you find yourself in this situation, sharing these details with the rental agent may show that you're not a threat to anyone. For example, perhaps you were arrested for assault after someone assaulted one of your children; in this scenario, the rental company may decide to allow you to become a tenant.
The Arrest Was Related to Drug Abuse
In some cases, a criminal history can be tied to a drug problem. For example, perhaps you shoplifted to support a drug habit. However, if you've been clean and sober for several years, it's easy to believe that breaking the law is long behind you. If you aren't concerned about divulging your history with drugs to the rental agent, explaining this story — and making sure that you state how long you've been sober — may play a positive role in helping you rent the apartment with the help of a co-signer.
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