- 1). Explain to potential landlords why you have this felony on your record before they find it themselves. Do not hope that they will not find it, because technology has advanced enough that they almost always pull a credit and criminal history on potentially new tenants. Write your explanation rather than saying it. Attach the letter to your application.
- 2). Attach letters of reference to your application. Go beyond the standard personal references of friends and family by getting references from someone who is prominent and respected in the community, such as a clergy member, an elected official or someone in law enforcement. Make sure that the letter specifies that these people know you and believe that you are responsible even though they are aware of your felony conviction.
- 3). Inform the rental manager that your legal problems took place long ago and that you learned a lot from your past mistakes and are a changed person. Make sure that you tell the truth and can back up the fact that there have been no recent incidents with the law.
- 4). Consider renting from a private landlord as opposed to a corporation; private landlords are much less likely to run criminal background checks because of the fees involved. This might not be the case with all private landlords, but your chances of success will be much higher.
- 5). Ask if you can have your conviction expunged. This can be possible if the conviction happened a long time ago and you have not only completed the terms of your parole but also remained out of trouble with the law.
- 6). Send a letter to the agency that provided your negative background check. If you are denied the right to rent based on a background check, then you have the right to contact the agency and not only verify that all information is correct and accurate but also to explain yourself and justify the bad information if possible. Tell the landlord that he, by law, has to provide you with a copy of the report.
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