GUIDE
Old Felony or Recent Conviction: Compare Rental Timelines
A property’s criteria may treat an older felony and a recent one differently, but “old” doesn't mean approved everywhere. Compare your dates to an actual rule.
What this guide covers
- An example of how time rule math works
- Exceptions to check before the math
- A simple log for each property
An example
Renter A was convicted in 2015 and completed supervision in 2019. Renter B was convicted in 2022 and completed supervision in 2025. A rule that counts five years from finishing supervision gives different answers than a rule that counts five years from conviction. This example just shows the math. It isn't any named property's policy, and it doesn't predict approval.
Check the exceptions before you do the math
Ask a few things. Does the time rule apply to your exact offense? Do other cases affect it? Does active supervision change the review? Some written rules make no exception for older cases in certain categories. If the policy isn't spelled out, no amount of math will answer it.
Keep a simple log
- The property and the date of its policy.
- The offense category and outcome they looked at.
- What starts the clock and how long it runs, if they say.
- Who handles review, and any open questions.
Don't assume one Texas metro is easier on recent records without proof from current properties there. Ask about the communities in the area you actually need.
Read how to document conviction age, and request free locating help when you're ready. The community makes its own application decision.
What to do next
- Write down your conviction date and the date you finished supervision.
- Send us your search details. We check what starts each property's clock.
- Keep a log of each property's answer.
- Get your income papers ready for the rest of screening.
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
Find Texas Apartments That Accept Felons
We help renters with older and recent felonies look for apartments. We check each community's time rules and exceptions against your dates.
See how our locating service works →Common Questions
Does a recent felony get a closer look than an old one?
Under some time rules, yes. But “old” doesn't mean approved everywhere. Some policies make no exception for certain offenses.
When does a felony stop mattering to landlords?
There's no fixed point. Each property sets its own time rule and the date it counts from.
Are some Texas cities easier on recent records?
Don't assume so without proof from current properties. We check the communities in the area you need.
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.