renting with a criminal background

[Alexis W.]

my spouse has a felony where adjudication of guilt was withheld. theft in the workplace for a small amount but large enough to reach the felony threshold. It was so stupid; we fell out about it and then reconciled. This happened 2 years ago. Having owned a home for 9 years before hand, I had no idea how much this would be an issue until we relocated to a new city and had to find an apartment. Right now only my name is on the lease, but we are in a big complex. Rent paid on the first every month for the past 10 months but I want to move because this place was a quick move for a new job and we need something better.

What can I do to show that there we are good tenants? The word "felon" strikes fear in every property management company I deal with. I want to do things the right way and put both our names on the application but his background seems to be a huge barrier. As long as rent is paid on time and there are no hassles, do rental property owners really care about this? I'm not sure if this is the place to ask so I will try the landlord forum as well.

[Randy E.]

Some landlords have a strict no-criminal-record policy, and will refuse to consider anyone convicted of a crime.  Other landlords draw the line between misdemeanors and felonies.  Other landlords take it on a case by case basis.  Others don't care at all. 

Personally, I would want the straight truth from my applicants.  I'm a firm believe in second chances.  But, I have a hard time accepting liars.  I can trust a person who makes mistakes, because I make plenty.  I can't trust a liar, period.  And if I discover an applicant lied on a rental application, there's a 99% chance I won't rent to that person.

I say, be honest.  Once you're in a place that knows the truth, you'll feel so much better mentally and emotionally because you won't feel like you always have to be on guard about hiding something.  That goes for your spouse as well.  That stress from hiding something will seep into your personal relationship with each other and damage your marriage.  You don't need that.

And if a place (or two, or three) turns you down because of your man's criminal record, just keep looking.  He made the mistake, and now he has to live with the fallout from that mistake.  That means having a tougher time than others in finding jobs and places to live.  Tougher, not impossible.  But he can get through this.  It might even make him a better man for having gone through it.

Good luck.