Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you from renting an apartment in Memphis. But it does complicate things, and knowing what landlords can actually consider — and what they can’t — puts you in a better position when you apply.
What Tennessee law says (and doesn’t say)
Tennessee doesn’t ban landlords from running criminal background checks or considering criminal history when making rental decisions. So yes, your record will come up, and yes, it can factor into the decision.
What Tennessee does have, and what applies in Memphis specifically, is fair housing law. Under federal fair housing guidelines, landlords can’t use a criminal background policy that has a discriminatory effect — meaning a blanket “no felonies, ever, for any reason” policy can get challenged if it disproportionately excludes people of a protected class without any individualized assessment. The practical impact: more landlords (especially larger property management companies) are moving toward case-by-case reviews rather than automatic disqualifications.
That said, some records can still be a hard stop. Landlords in Tennessee can and typically do refuse to rent to people with recent convictions for crimes that directly threaten the safety of residents or property — violent offenses, drug manufacturing, arson, sex offenses. These aren’t being debated.
What actually matters to most landlords
When a property does a case-by-case review, they’re generally looking at three things:
- What the offense was. A misdemeanor from ten years ago is treated very differently than a felony from last year. Traffic violations, minor possession charges, and old non-violent offenses rarely disqualify applicants at second-chance-friendly communities.
- How long ago it happened. Time matters. A conviction that’s 5-7+ years old, with no subsequent offenses, carries much less weight than something recent.
- What you’ve done since. Stable employment, clean rental history since the conviction, or completed programs (probation, treatment, etc.) all work in your favor.
What to do when you apply
Don’t hide it. Background checks pull from court records, so anything in the system will show up. Being upfront when you apply — before the check runs — gives you a chance to frame your situation rather than having the property hear about it cold.
When you call to schedule a visit or ask about applying, you can ask directly: “Do you work with applicants who have a criminal history?” A property that does will tell you. Most won’t make you explain your entire record over the phone, but knowing whether it’s worth applying saves you the application fee and the wait.
When you do apply, consider writing a short letter of explanation to include with your application. Keep it factual — what happened, when, what your life has looked like since. One or two paragraphs is enough. You’re not asking for sympathy; you’re giving the property manager context to work with when they review your file.
Documents that help
- Proof of current employment or income
- Reference letters from a previous landlord, employer, or program sponsor
- Court disposition documents (shows what you were actually convicted of, not just what you were charged with)
- Completion certificates from any programs you’ve finished (treatment, job training, GED, etc.)
Second-chance housing in Memphis
Apartments Near Me was built around affordable, accessible housing for Memphis residents — including people who’ve had barriers in the past. We do run background checks, and we won’t pretend criminal history never factors in. But we review applications individually and we work with applicants who have made changes in their lives.
If you have a record and you’re not sure whether you qualify, the best step is to call us and talk it through before you apply. We can tell you what our current policies are and what you’d need to bring. We’d rather have that conversation up front than have you spend money on an application fee without knowing where you stand.
Our communities — Cottonwood, Thompson Heights, Thompson Court, Stonebrook, The Villages, Summit Park, and Winbranch — are scattered across Memphis and the surrounding area. Availability and specific unit requirements vary by property, so reach out to the property that interests you directly.
