A Georgia landlord purchased a quadplex. Then she added a rental requirement that her tenants have to have a criminal background.
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Taylor Van Pelt, who runs the social media account Judge + Co (@cloverandbirch on Facebook), posted a video that received more than 84,500 likes and 1,900 comments.
In it, she joked about how the “things [they] do as slumlords” just make sense. She runs a felon-friendly apartment complex that doesn’t charge application fees, includes utilities, and only requires a 30-day notice to vacate.
Van Pelt built the complex to assist justice-involved renters in finding housing and to create opportunities for those leaving the system. It’s only available for those with prior criminal backgrounds, which the landlord reflected on in her video’s description.
How does Van Pelt’s quadplex work?
Van Pelt explained how the exact rental process works for her tenants.
“We only rent to people with a criminal background. Taylor, isn’t that discriminatory or predatory leasing practices? No. You know what I think is predatory? When an apartment complex tells you they’ll rent to you with a background, then collects your $100 application fee, then denies you based on your criminal history,” Van Pelt said.
Instead of taking application fees, the complex takes referrals, whether that be from an employer or a parole or probation officer.
“Rent is broken up and due on the 1st and 15th. You want to pay by Cash App, Zelle, check—have at it. And if you want to pay cash in a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser box, you know what… hell yeah,” the landlord said.
She explained that because most of her tenants are starting over, the apartments include utilities in the base price of the apartment. Additionally, she added that the quadplex asks for only 30 days’ notice before moving out. If a tenant moves out early and there’s someone else that fills that apartment before the 30 days are up, the company reimburses the difference.
“Just because you’re a landlord doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk,” Van Pelt said.
Online, Van Pelt has a free guide for renters to find housing after incarceration, which includes tips on getting approved. Outside of her work with her tenants, she explained that she helps facilitate a workforce re-entry program that supports incarcerated individuals.
What rental options exist for those with a criminal background?
The U.S., unlike countries such as Canada, can require individuals seeking housing to submit to criminal background checks as a part of the application process. Individuals leaving the system have reported that this can make it difficult to find housing.
Organizations such as the Tenant Resource Center say that denying tenants can be a form of discrimination.
Despite this, the organization noted that larger management companies have policies against renting to those with criminal records. Additionally, affordable housing programs, such as those that exist under Section 8 or other public housing projects, also deny applications based on criminal background.
There are a variety of short-term housing options, such as halfway houses or motels, but these don’t provide long-term stability. Staying with friends and family isn’t necessarily a given for every person who leaves the system.
Individuals who are released from incarceration can seek Residential Reentry Centers or community-based housing projects. Additionally, the federal government offers some public housing options and Housing Choice Vouchers.
How does discrimination affect housing?
On r/excons, a subreddit created for those who have left the criminal justice system, a variety of posters discussed their difficulty in finding housing.
One person, who posted about looking for a larger space with their father, said, “He’s a convicted felon and every single place, be it a house or apartment, denies us once they find out he’s a felon… I’m just exasperated at this point I don’t understand why so many places don’t allow felons to rent.”
Commenters there recommended finding a private landlord or reaching out to reentry programs.
On another Reddit thread, one commenter suggested that there needs to be more available housing for couples and families. “Out of all the places I found, they were either full and no one was leaving or the room rentals didn’t allow couples. As for private landlords and anyone allowing a felon they don’t know into their home? Not happening,” they said.
How commenters felt about Van Pelt’s post
Viewers with experience with the criminal justice system commented and said they were glad housing opportunities, such as Van Pelt’s, exist.
“This is amazing. As a felon it has been really hard to find a rental to provide a basic need for my kids. Thankfully we found a couple who gave me a chance. The world needs more understanding and less judgement. We’re all just trying to survive,” one viewer said.
“I am obsessed with you. This is what being realistic and playing a part in someone’s success looks like,” another commenter said.
The Mary Sue reached out to Van Pelt via Facebook direct message for more information.
