Checking an Apartment’s Misdemeanor Screening Rules

What this guide covers

• What “criminal background required” leaves out
• What we check before you apply
• Comparing answers by property

Look past “criminal background required”

That line tells you they screen. It doesn't tell you what gets someone denied. We check if the rule names certain offenses, a class of offense, a lookback or some mix. And we see if it treats convictions, pending cases and dismissals differently.

What we ask before you apply

We ask for the misdemeanor criteria and which date starts any time limit. If the report is unclear, we find out if they'll look at an accurate copy of your disposition. Check the current fees with the community yourself.

We compare answers by property

Properties under one management company don't always use the same policy. We check the rule at the exact address you want. If the office doesn't know, we find out who can answer before you spend money.

• We note the rule and the date we checked it.
• We note open questions and who's looking into them.
• We find out if you have to pay to apply before they'll review.
• We check income, credit and rental history rules separately.

Our misdemeanor apartment search does this checking for you. This guide walks through how we check properties and doesn't name any. Read the misdemeanor timing guide before you assume a case is too old to matter.

What to do next

1. 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.
2. Get your disposition so you can check the outcome on the report against the court's record.
3. Read Class A vs Class B misdemeanors to see how the class can matter.
4. Tell us about your case. We check the misdemeanor rule at each address you want.

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.