DUI Convictions and Renting a Home

At this point you should be well aware of the consequences of a driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated (DUI/DWI) charge. Jail time, monetary fines, and so on. However, something more and more people are discovering in the recent home turnover is that it can also impact your ability to find a home. Herein I will address the different repercussions that might be felt if you find yourself in that situation.

A landlord may not discriminate against tenants based on age, sex, race, religion, or nationality. What about discriminating against those with criminal records? You betcha! Not only is there no protection for such people, it is almost universal practice to conduct a criminal background check on potential tenants, at the tenants' cost. Typically, when a new tenant applies to live in a property, their information is sent to a private investigator (PI) who conducts a multifaceted check on their finances and records.

While it is up to the individual landlord to decide what is and is not acceptable, typically any felony and most criminal charges will disqualify a tenant.

What about a DUI?

Depending on the jurisdiction, most DUI's are criminal offenses and will show up on a criminal background check. Some felonies are considered felonies, and are often immediate disqualifiers. The advisable course for a potential tenant with a DUI conviction is to be upfront and honest with the future landlord when applying, and to detail what the potential tenant has done to remedy the situation. Every landlord is concerned about the tenant's ability to pay their rent, and so they will be concerned that a small incident could cause the renter to be placed into custody for an extended period of time.

If you have been charged with a DUI, before your court date it is important to contact a DUI attorney. A DUI lawyer will represent you in court and can negotiate with the prosecution to alleviate the potential consequences, or if there has been some kind of procedural issue they may facilitate in having the charges thrown out.