SCR recommends that there be a property management policy on felony convictions…see below.
Here is a model rental application question on felonies…
Have you ever been convicted or pled guilty to a felony crime and if the answer is yes, then please thoroughly explain your felony conviction/guilty plea on this rental application and with attached documents (e.g., what are all your felony crimes, when did your felonies occur, were you incarcerated/imprisoned, how long were you incarcerated/imprisoned, when did you get out of prison, are you on probation/parole, what is your parol probation officer’s contact information, are you pardoned, state any other mitigating/offsetting information such as what you have been doing positively since incarceration/imprisonment…any character witnesses or reference documents attached, any personal statements, any explanations)?
The property management policy is there is no outright ban on renting to felons. However, the types of felony crimes and time involved and safety issues and mitigating information are considered in renting decisions involved with felony tenant applicants. This is a fair housing policy due to statistics that may show males, race, color, and national origin are convicted at a felony rate that arguably may create fair housing disparate impact issues.
2018 Washington REALTORS® video on this topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w75jfMxVYw
2019 Florida REALTORS® video on this topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EYIxNwXhos
Posted by: Byron King on 2/3/20 (This information is only accurate as of 2/3/20. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 2/3/20 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org)