Before we begin discussing ways to increase your chances of getting felon-friendly housing, let’s state the obvious: Finding an apartment will be a bit harder if you have a felony on your record.

Here are some things you can do to make it less difficult so you can get the stability you need that comes with housing.

1. Search everywhere you can.

You no longer have to hit the streets and walk from building to building seeking “For Rent” signs to find an apartment. Thanks to the Internet, you can find available housing wherever you desire. However, the key when searching for felon-friendly apartments is to remember that you want to bypass any background checks.

As you browse the following websites, keep an eye out for any listings that say no background check is required. Some might even say “felon-friendly” so you can spot ideal possibilities with ease.

• Craigslist
• Zumper
• Sublet.com
• Apartment Guide
• Rent.com
• Trulia
• Zillow

Craigslist gets a spot at the top of the list because you can find more private, smaller-time landlords on there who may be willing to rent to felons.

2. Identify your strengths.

So you have a criminal past with a felony that sticks out like a sore thumb. So what? That’s not the only thing that defines you as a person, so think of the positives you have to offer a potential landlord.

Do you have cash saved up? Do you have a steady job and stable income? Could you get several references from past connections that show you’re a person of solid character? Are you good at selling yourself and convincing others?

Any of those things could help a landlord overlook your felony, so keep them in the back of your head while searching for apartments, as they’ll come into play soon.

3. Capitalize on your strengths to build a strong case.

Let’s say you do have some cash saved up. Use it to offer the landlord a higher security deposit, and they may say yes. If you have a steady job and stable income, showcase it by providing bank statements, pay stubs, etc.

Any past connections willing to provide references can make a massive difference in your rent application. Since a felony may give off a bad first impression, using references can overcome it to show the landlord you’re worthy of their trust.

To start collecting references, think of people in your past who you had a stable relationship with, such as:

• Family
• Friends
• Teachers
• Coworkers
• Employers
• Landlords
• Rehab facilities

4. Write a letter to the landlord.

If you’re applying for an apartment in a big city, many potential renters may be looking to snag it. A felony can put you towards the back of the line, which is why you should write a letter to show your interest in the apartment and to let the landlord know who you are.

In your letter, you may want to overcome any doubts the landlord may have linked to your felony. You can do so by expressing remorse, how you’ve changed, and how you’ll plan to behave as a tenant. Don’t forget to add a picture of yourself to the application to make it more effective.

5. Avoid new debt.

Until you get that apartment, hold back on any desires to take on new debt in the form of car loans, personal loans, etc. New debt can increase your debt to income ratio, which can lead to worry about you being able to pay the rent each month.

6. Be persistent.

Whether it’s searching every apartment website, pounding the pavement looking for places on foot, or contacting landlords frequently to express interest, be persistent in your search. Don’t feel down if you get rejected, either.

As long as you stick with it and follow the tips above, you should finally find the place that suits your needs and lets you start life anew.