Can a convicted felon buy a house in Florida?
Asked by: Alphonso Ward | Last update: June 25, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (72 votes)
If you're interested in buying a house, you may wonder if having a criminal record could stand in your way. The short answer is yes—a misdemeanor or felony could disqualify you from getting a conventional home loan, but this is at the lender's discretion. Your specific circumstances could also affect your eligibility.
Can you be denied housing because of a felony in Florida?
The Fair Housing Act does not specifically deny a landlord the right to reject an applicant based on a prior conviction; however, HUD has issued a statement saying a blanket policy to deny felons can have an impact on minority populations under “disparate impact.”
Can a felony stop you from buying a house?
Having a felony conviction will not keep you from becoming a homeowner. Find a local, experienced, highly ethical, licensed loan originator located in the city or county in which you live. Sit down with him/her, and go over your financial goals and desire to become a home owner.
Can felons qualify for a mortgage?
Anti-discrimination laws do not require lenders to approve felons for a loan. Protections only apply to things like gender identity, religion, and race. So, lenders can deny anyone with a criminal record. However, since lenders have different policies, if one denies your application, another may accept it.
What felons Cannot do in Florida?
Florida law deprives convicted felons of certain Civil Rights including the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office, and restricts the issuance and renewal of some professional licenses such as real estate and insurance.
Can a felon buy a house?
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Florida?
A felony conviction in Florida will typically remain on your record indefinitely. It does not automatically disappear or “fall off” after a certain period. However, under certain conditions, you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged, which can hide or remove the conviction from public view.
Can a felon buy a house in Florida?
Yes, convicted felons can own property. Federal laws do not prevent felons from doing so.
Can a felon live in a house with another felon?
Absolutely, if they are not on probation or parole. If they are, then it depends on the rules set for their probation or parole. Usually, even then, they can normally live with another family member who is also a felon.
Do they do a background check when buying a house?
Mortgage lenders generally care more about your credit score, income, and employment. Some lenders may do a background check and have policies that make it harder for people with a criminal record. If you are facing criminal charges, avoiding a conviction can keep your record clear so it won't hurt you in the future.
Do banks check criminal records for loans?
Criminal Background Checks: While not typically used to decide on loan applications, criminal background checks can be important in certain contexts, such as tenant screenings or specific types of loans. These checks reveal any criminal history, helping lenders make more informed decisions about the risk involved.
How do you buy a house with a criminal record?
Seek an expungement: To “expunge” is to “erase or remove” a crime from your record. If successful, expungement allows you to apply for a mortgage without being required to disclose the crime. Plus, even if the lender runs a background check, the conviction will not appear.
Does being a felon affect your credit?
Although your criminal record doesn't directly impact your credit score, the financial burden that accompanies legal penalties can result in significant credit damage. Legal fees, court fines, restitution, and loss of income due to unemployment or incarceration can cause you to fall behind on payments.
Can felons get a passport?
Yes, a convicted felon can usually get a passport, but it depends on the felony and other factors: Felony typeSome felonies can automatically disqualify you from getting a passport, including: International drug trafficking Trafficking minors "Sex tourism" offenses Treason.
How far back can a landlord check your criminal record in Florida?
A Florida criminal background check can go back indefinitely regarding criminal records with convictions, although the relevant restrictions of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) must still be respected. Most non-conviction information is capped at seven years.
Can felons get Section 8 in Florida?
Drug-related and violent criminal activity can make a household ineligible for Section 8. However, the PHA can approve an applicant with a criminal history if they can demonstrate that they have rehabilitated and are not a threat to other residents.
Can a felon live in a house with guns Florida?
Yes, it is possible for you to live with a felon and a firearm in the same house. However, the convicted felon cannot possess the firearm. In Florida, there are two types of possession: actual and constructive. Actual possession is when someone has exclusive control or custody over the firearm.
How far back does a real estate background check go in Florida?
Florida has no laws limiting how far back an employer can seek criminal convictions in a candidate's past. However, the state does abide by national laws, including the FCRA. The FCRA's Seven-Year Rule mandates that arrests not be reported for more than seven years on any background check.
Can a DUI affect buying a house?
How Long Could a DUI Prevent Me from Getting a Mortgage? In California, a DUI conviction generally remains on your driving record for ten years. This means that for a decade after your conviction, the DUI will be visible to entities with access to your driving record, including potential lenders.
How long does it take to get a background check back for a house?
An accurate background check can take some time — from a few hours to a few days. A more complex tenant background check can take a week or more. To speed up the process, consider using an online application and a tenant screening provider that offers reliable and fast reports at a reasonable rate.
Can my wife own a gun if I'm a felon in Florida?
No, a felon's spouse cannot own a gun in Florida. Under Florida Statute Section 790.23, a prosecutor can attempt to prove that you possessed a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic device or weapon through actual possession or constructive possession.
What states can a convicted felon own a gun?
All states except Vermont generally restrict firearm access after a person has been convicted of a felony, mirroring federal law in this area, which generally prohibits firearm access after an individual has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
Does being a felon affect buying a house?
Having a felony conviction on your record can impact your life in many ways. Thankfully, getting a home loan is not one of them — not directly, anyway. Most banks do not run criminal record checks before approving loans, and they are unlikely to deny you if you have good credit even if they are aware of your history.
Is Florida a felon-friendly state?
In Florida about 1.6 million people are disenfranchised because of a current or previous felony conviction, over 10% of the voting age citizens, including the 774,000 disenfranchised only because of outstanding financial obligations.
What kind of gun can a felon own in Florida?
In regard to use of firearms by felons: It is illegal in Florida for convicted felons to possess firearms, including muzzleloading guns, unless they have had their civil rights restored or the gun qualifies as an antique firearm under Florida statute 790.001(1).
What rights does a convicted felon lose?
From the loss of voting rights and firearm ownership to employment challenges and parental custody issues, the ramifications of a felony conviction in California can be both profound and long-lasting.