Are you planning to add a felon to a lease? This is an intricate matter and concerns are natural for tenants and the landlord to have.
One has to take care to proactively address the potential risks. It will keep the living environment safe and harmonious.
Here’s how we go about mitigating the potential risks:
- Comprehensive Background Checks
Before you make a decision, undertake a comprehensive background check. The nature of the felony will be revealed. This gives the landlord a chance to understand the circumstances involved. This is a better alternative than making decisions based on biases and incomplete information.
- Setting Clear Lease Terms
When you create the lease agreement, use explicit terms for addressing specific concerns. Make it a point to include clauses for regular check-ins and make sure that no illegal activities take place within the premises. One should be taking cues from the way felon housing programs go about the matter.
- Discuss matters openly with the felon
Talk openly with the felon to recognize their current situation. You’d then have a better understanding of the individual’s mindset and the willingness to reintegrate into society.
- Engage with a counselor or a mediator
In the event of any concerns or disputes, interaction with a counselor or mediator will bring ease to resolving the issues. With their neutral perspectives and accurate solutions, the initial stages of the lease simplify. Your counselor is likely to have first-hand experience with felon housing programs.
- Adhere to the safety protocols
The implementation of specific safety measures is going to be beneficial, keeping the nature of the felony in mind. You may want to install CCTV cameras in common areas, secure entrances to the premises, or schedule regular visits from security officers.
- Ensuring privacy for all tenants
While security measures are a must, felon’s privacy also has to be valued. The right to private life is inclusive and independent of a person’s past. So, keep your security measures non-intrusive.
- Educate all the tenants
Your property is likely to have some additional tenants. So, keep them informed about the new tenant but do not breach privacy laws. This will help overcome unfounded fears and dispel myths. But, exercise discretion and sensitivity in all dealings.
- Frequently check-in and gather feedback
A system for regular check-ins needs to be in place. This will let you discuss concerns and collect feedback. Adherence to lease terms can hence be verified.
Conclusion
It is challenging to navigate the intricacies involved with creating a leasing agreement, especially when you plan to lease your premises to a felon. So, open communication will help you overcome a vast section of difficulties. But, make sure that you arm yourself with the right sort of information because all people deserve a second chance. To successfully reintegrate into society, stable housing is one of the basics that a felon would require.
It is best to keep informed under such circumstances. While your approach has to be proactive, you have to approach the situation with understanding, compassion, and empathy.
ReeCareer makes a host of resources available for ex-felons, including felon housing programs and job support. This allows ex-felons to make a fresh start to their lives.
