I am an ex-convict that is having a hard time finding an apartment
complex that will allow me to move in. I was convicted a felony, not a
sex crime, over 13 years ago and because more and more apartment
complexes are now running background checks on prespective residents I
keep getting turned down. I have good credit, a well paying job and
have zero complaints about me from the places I have lived in the
past. Most of the places I have lived have been with roommates and
their name on the lease. I no longer want a roommate and I am looking
for a one bedroom apartment in the North Atlanta area with rent in the
range of $600-$760. There are plenty available but I can't afford to
keep paying application fees only to get turned down. I also don't
want to rent a house having to pay first and last month and deposit
upfront. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Clarification of Question by goodguyinga-ga on 21 Oct 2004 19:36 PDT

I also am not willing to move in to a bad or run down apartment.

Tell your prospective landlord upfront.

If you explain everything and can show that you are a reformed
character then you may be OK.

Certainly, nobody likes to find these things out from the checks that
they run on you.

That way, at least you know where you stand.

Good luck!

The problem is that it is a catch-22. If you tell them they won't rent
to you, if you don't and they happen to be a complex that checks they
won't rent to you.

Look for landlords who only own a few properties.  If they are
small-time, they are less likely to do a formal background check. 
They tend to just make a few phone calls, which is a test that you
could pass.  Good luck.