You’ve got a DUI/DWI on your record. You have to deal with the legal follow up and fees, restrictions on your license, and to top it off, any landlords you might try to rent from will be able to see this mark in your history.
So, can you rent an apartment after getting caught driving under the influence? The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, but it will be tough.
It’s true that lot of property owners will be dissuaded from renting to you when this pops up in your background check, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to be approved for a lease.
Here are a few things that will affect your chances:
Honesty
Most landlords would rather hear about any negative marks on your record from you, rather than being unpleasantly surprised when they run your credit and criminal background checks. Not to mention, being up front gives you the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding your DUI incident and what steps you are currently taking to make sure it doesn’t happen again. In some cases, if a landlord is unsure about your application, the scales can be tipped by their opinion of your character —for better or for worse. So an honest and positive approach on your end will likely be a plus.
Felony or Misdemeanor?
Driving while intoxicated can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This depends on a few things, including what state you live in and any prior criminal record. The bad news is, if you’re convicted of a felony, then renting an apartment will be a lot more difficult. The good news is, if it’s a misdemeanor, then after a few years of good behavior, you can apply to have it expunged from your record. This doesn’t mean it won’t count as a prior if you commit any felonies or misdemeanors in the future, but it will make your apartment search a lot easier. If you want to go this route, the first step will be to contact your lawyer.
Other Criminal Record
Even the best people make mistakes sometimes and they still deserve a second chance. Many landlords will understand that. However, if you’ve got some marks on your criminal record in addition to a DUI/DWI, finding a place to rent will be a lot tougher for you. When someone rents out an apartment for you, they want to rest easy that you will not damage their property or cause any incidents with other tenants that they, the landlord, may be legally responsible for. Therefore, if your DUI also involved convictions of assault, theft, or disorderly intoxication, that’s likely to raise some eyebrows at the very least.
The Timeline
How long ago the incident occurred is also something landlords are likely to consider when reviewing your application. A DUI from over ten years ago is likely to go over better than one from a few months ago. Keep in mind though, your record in between should be relatively clean. Property owners want to see that you’ve made an effort to change your lifestyle and can be trusted not to make the same mistake again.
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Employment History
When you boil it down, what a landlord really wants to see is that you will not cause unnecessary problems for them and your fellow tenants, and that you will be able to make your monthly rent payments in full and on time. For many of them, a DUI will send up red flags because it might mean that your license has been restricted or revoked, which in turn might mean that you won’t be able to get to work every day. If you can provide them with proof of steady employment, then you can put at least one of their worries to rest. Not to mention, a letter of recommendation from your employer can go a long way to show that you are a trustworthy individual. If that’s not an option for you, it may help to explain to your landlord why the DUI isn’t putting a serious dent in your earnings, whether you’re working from home, taking the bus, or something else entirely.
Finding an apartment you can rent with a DUI/DWI on your record is not an easy process, but don’t be discouraged. For the most part, some honesty, being genuine, and showing responsibility are your best bet when it comes to smoothing over that mark on your record with prospective landlords. If you do land an apartment, the more you take care of it, the better it will look for future landlords. Here’s A Master Guide to Cleaning Your Bathroom and Keeping It Clean.