GUIDE
Misdemeanor vs. Felony: How Apartment Policies Differ
The misdemeanor or felony label tells you what kind of case it is. It doesn't tell you your odds of approval. We look at each property's actual rules for your outcome, so you don't have to guess.
What this guide covers
- What we compare for each type of case
- Why the label alone can't rank your odds
- What to put on a short case sheet
What we compare
For a misdemeanor, we check if the policy singles out certain offenses, and if it treats convictions differently from pending or dismissed cases. We ask the same questions for a felony. Don't assume the felony label settles it. Either way, we look at how far back the policy checks and if it has a review process.
Why you can't just rank them
Say one renter has an old felony with supervision finished, and another has a recent misdemeanor that's still pending. Those cases differ in more than how serious they are. Without the offense, the outcome and the written policy, ranking them would be a guess. Credit, rental history and income can decide it too.
Make a short case sheet for us
- Case outcome and exact offense on the disposition.
- Your conviction, release and supervision end dates.
- How current supervision affects the move, if it does.
- Any proof you already have, like a discharge or dismissal order.
If an application only asks a yes or no question about criminal history, read the wording and instructions carefully. For sealed or expunged records, you may need legal advice. A general website can't tell you the right answer.
Continue with misdemeanor locating help or apartments that accept felons. We help with the search for both, but communities make their own decisions.
What to do next
- Find the exact offense and outcome on your court disposition.
- Write down your conviction, release and supervision end dates.
- Send us your search details. We check each property's written rules against your record.
- For sealed or expunged records, talk with a lawyer or legal aid first.
Published by the Felon Friendly Apartment Team. This is general renter information. Each property makes its own decisions, and questions about your own case belong with a lawyer or legal aid.
RELATED SERVICE
Apartments That Accept Misdemeanors Across Texas
We help renters with a misdemeanor history look for apartments, and we check each community's written criteria against their record. The community makes the decision.
See how our locating service works →Common Questions
Is it easier to rent with a misdemeanor than a felony?
Not always. The offense, the outcome, the dates and the property's written rules matter more than the label. Credit, rental history and income count too.
Do properties use the same rules for both?
Some do, and some list them separately. We check how each property's policy treats your exact case.
Does a felony always get more scrutiny?
Not in every case. An old felony with supervision done and a recent pending misdemeanor can get different answers at the same property.
Know Where You Stand Before You Pay to Apply
Tell us what you need in your next home. We check each community's screening criteria against your record for free, so you can pick where to spend application fees.