GUIDE
Felony Apartment Application: Documents to Gather
Gather the papers that show how your case ended and that you meet the apartment’s requirements. Being ready heads off confusion, but it doesn't promise approval on your first application.
What this guide covers
- A folder for your case papers
- A separate folder for housing: income, references and budget
- What to settle before you click apply
Keep a folder for your case papers
Put the disposition and your completion paperwork in it. This one is for you to keep. Get anything missing from the clerk of the court that handled your case. Write down each date on its own: offense, conviction, release and completion. Then you can answer a policy question about any of them.
Make a separate folder for housing
- Proof of income the property says it accepts.
- Rental references or payment records, if they ask.
- Household details and your move date.
- A budget for all application and move-in costs.
Ask before you hand over extra documents. Our apartment inquiry form doesn't ask for Social Security numbers, ID or court files. Send private papers only through the property's own application or the screening company's own site.
Before you click apply
We look up the community's criminal history rule before you pay, and we find out if it offers individual review. Confirm the fees with the community, including any extra fee if a report needs fixing. If you're on supervision, get the address permission you need before you sign anything.
Use the renter checklists and budget tools to organize the move. Then request free felony apartment locating help if you need options. How many applications you'll need comes down to what each property decides. No checklist can promise you'll only apply once.
What to do next
- Get a copy of your own screening report so you see what a landlord sees. Our guide on checking your own background walks you through it.
- Get any missing disposition or completion papers from the court clerk.
- Put your pay stubs, benefit letters or offer letter in your housing folder.
- Send us your search details. We check which communities' felony rules fit your case.
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 Felony Convictions
Tell us about your case and your move. We check it against each community's felony rules in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio.
See how our felony search works →Common Questions
What papers help when I rent with a felony?
Your court disposition, any completion papers and proof of income the property accepts. Rental references help if the property asks for them.
Does your form ask for my Social Security number or court files?
No. Our apartment inquiry form doesn't ask for Social Security numbers, ID or court files.
Will getting ready mean I only apply once?
Not always. Being ready heads off confusion, but each property makes its own decision. No checklist can promise one application.
Ready to Start Your Apartment Search?
Our help is free to renters. Participating communities may pay our brokerage a referral fee. Tell us what you need, and we'll check each community's criteria against your record.
More renter help
Use renter checklists and budget tools · Browse the guide library