DOJ Warns Landlords Over Criminal Background Checks On Tenants

[John Thedford]

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/doj-wa...

Who protects the landlords?

[Russell Brazil]

HUD issued a memo several months ago regarding the same subject.

[John Thedford]

Yes they did. Have it saved. This article appeared on Yahoo.

[Account Closed]

Why should someone who's paid their debt to society be forever stripped of their rights, to include the access to housing? If they're still a threat to the populace, they shouldn't be free. By perpetuating the social stigma of being a "felon"; denying access to employment, denying access to housing..you do nothing but encourage recidivism..and continue the vicious cycle..which is exactly what your government and for-profit prison industrial complex wants. 

- A productive member of society who was once a court date away from being a convicted felon. 

[Dustin Beam]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Why should someone who's paid their debt to society be forever stripped of their rights, to include the access to housing? If they're still a threat to the populace, they shouldn't be free. By perpetuating the social stigma of being a "felon"; denying access to employment, denying access to housing..you do nothing but encourage recidivism..and continue the vicious cycle..which is exactly what your government and for-profit prison industrial complex wants. 

- A productive member of society who was once a court date away from being a convicted felon. 

 I've long complained about how the American judicial system is more about punishment than rehabilitation. Requiring that info on job applications and such things as rental applications is hard for me to die with either way. Do you want someone convicted of embezzling handling your money at Company XYZ? Does a tenant in a duplex  with children want to live next to a convicted rapist or molester? 

For me,  I feel like I have an obligation to try and do what I can to keep my existing tenants safe from their new neighbors. I'd rather take the risk of making a felon's life harder than find out he raped (or worse) a tenant of mine. 

Certain crimes I might be willing to overlook. But I can't have any feeling that they are a danger to those they live next to. 

[Mike Cumbie]

Or the DOJ could just not label people a felon unless they are actually one...

[Marcia Maynard]

The key is not to dismiss someone solely on the basis they were convicted of a felony. Look further than that. Hold judgement until you know more. Look at the present risk. Some people do well with second chances.

Here is an excerpt from our screening criteria, which is more flexible than some....

LEGAL/CRIMINAL HISTORY

1.Criminal offenses (misdemeanor or felony) of a violent nature against either person or property will result in denial.

2.Applicants with a non-violent criminal misdemeanor that occurred more than two years ago or a non-violent criminal felony that occurred more than five years ago may be considered if restitution for their crime was made in full and all time was served.Also, we may require an additional security deposit and demonstration of good employment history, credit history, and rental history since the time of the crime.Multiple offenses may result in denial regardless of what the employment, credit and rental history shows.

[Justin Fox]

The federal government are responsible for that stigma.  Don't classify people as felons if there wasn't a victim and I won't deny them rentals because the federal government classified them as such.

This is hilarious honestly.  Maybe the DOJ should complain about mandatory minimum sentences and the war on non-violent, voluntary exchange of money for drugs.  Pretty typical.  Government creates a 'program(s)', program(s) negatively affect society and they blame the bigotry of private enterprise.   Haha.

[Thomas S.]

Landlords are not trained social workers or parole officers. It is the sole responsibility of landlords to protect themselves and make what ever business decisions they deem best for their situation.

If you choose not to rent to convicted felons that is your business. Having a discussion on social expectations or societies responsibilities is not the business of our business.

Landlords have the sole responsibility of protecting themselves as each sees fit.