Can a felon buy a home in Florida?
Asked by: Devonte McDermott | Last update: September 12, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (7 votes)
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. Learn what it takes to buy a house with a criminal record and some tips to improve your chances of success.
Can a convicted felon buy a house in Florida?
Yes, felons can legally buy a house. There are no laws preventing felons from purchasing property, though there can be challenges qualifying for a mortgage.
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 get housing in Florida?
Denial Based on Criminal History
Individuals can legally be denied housing if their recent criminal record makes them dangerous and a risk to other tenants or neighbors. The denial must be based on reliable evidence and not be hypothetical or speculative.
Can a convicted felon get a Real Estate License? The answer is Yes!
What is the second chance program for felons in Florida?
The “Second Chance Program” helps open doors and change lives. The Second Chance Sealing/Expunging program helps individuals arrested for certain low-level offenses obtain court orders sealing and/or expunging their records. This enhances these individuals' career, educational, and housing opportunities.
How far back does a background check go for housing in Florida?
How far back do background checks go in Florida for rentals? In Florida, background checks can reveal up to 7 years of credit history and all recorded evictions. Criminal record restrictions vary by county.
Can felons get FHA loans?
A felon would need a minimum credit score of 580 with a 3.5% down payment or 500 with a 10% down payment to buy a house using an FHA mortgage — widely recognized as the most lenient with employment and credit. Building credit through secured cards and other tools can help you meet these requirements.
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.
Does a felony show up on a background check after 7 years in Florida?
In reality, as confirmed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, felony convictions remain on your record indefinitely unless specific actions, such as gubernatorial pardons or expungement, are taken. “Understanding the permanence of felony charges is crucial.
Can a convicted felon get housing assistance?
HUD does not have a blanket policy that prohibits persons with felonies from being an applicant or participant in the Public Housing program or Housing Choice Voucher program.
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.
Is Florida a felon-friendly state?
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.
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.
What rights do convicted felons 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.
Can a felon get a first time home buyer loan?
FHA loans generally approve people who do not have a perfect credit history and may be a good choice for someone whose felony occurred at least a decade ago. Federal rules require you to wait at least ten years before applying after some types of convictions.
Do they run 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.
Can felons get a passport?
Most convicted felons in the US can obtain a passport after completing their sentence. That said, certain felony convictions can still disqualify you from getting a passport. Other reasons for being denied a US passport include failing to pay child support or having significant outstanding federal tax debts.
Does a felony prevent you from getting 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 will disqualify you from an FHA loan?
You may be denied for an FHA loan if you have declared bankruptcy but you have not had the bankruptcy discharged. You may be denied if you are delinquent on federal taxes or otherwise owe money to the federal government but without an approved payment plan.
Can I have a gun with a felon in the house?
Key Takeaways: Under federal law, felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Some states return a felon's civil rights to own a gun after serving their sentence or a waiting period. If you live with a felon, you have to make sure gun access is limited so they don't have constructive possession.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?
Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.
What disqualifies you from a level 2 background check in Florida?
Several disqualifying offenses can prevent you from passing a Level 2 Background Check in Florida. These include: Sexual offenses: Such as sexual battery, unlawful sexual activity with minors, and lewd and lascivious behavior. Violent crimes: Including murder, manslaughter, and aggravated assault or battery.
Can you get HUD with a felony?
HUD Proposes Rule to Remove Criminal Conviction Restrictions for Fair Housing Testers. New rule would eliminate restrictions on those with prior felony or certain other criminal convictions in FHIP- and FHAP-Funded Testing Programs.