Would you rent to a parolee?

[Edward Shin]

BP Nation, I need your thoughts and advice: My business partner and I have a property that has been sitting vacant over the last few months. As you can imagine, we're looking to get it rented ASAP, and there's a couple that's interested. The catch? Our PM mentioned that the guy has an drug offense from a few years back. He's been clean since and is on parole. Our PM would still put him through the credit, income, and background checks and speak to his parole officer, but wanted to know if we would even entertain someone with that type of record. Your thoughts, BP Nation? 

[Clinton Hays]

I work for the Department of Corrections in CA.  I'd give someone with a felony in their past a second chance, but if he's still on active parole and the rent is dependent on his income, I'd look at the recidivism rates in your state.  That rate will tell you the odds of his going back to prison and that income being lost.