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I am a convicted felon and a registered sex offender. Do you have a rental?

Real Estate Agent with Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton Licensed in GA & AL

May 21, 2011 05:09 PM

I received a phone call Friday afternoon. The first words out of the callers mouth were "I am a convicted felon and a registered sex offender. Do you have one bedroom rental?"

I must say I was shocked. No one has ever asked me that question in that way. All I could think about were liabliity issues. And why would anyone rent to someone like this?

I sent an email to our mls, and one agent says he has something we can look at. I did talk to an advocate for the young man, and she says the charges are actually the result of a horrible joke that ended with a suicide. The legal system seemed to make a mess of this situation according to her story.

I have not researched his story, but I am concerned about what a Realtor can and should do in this situation. Convicted felons and registered sex offenders have to live somewhere.

Any words of wisdom or advice would be appreciated.

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Sonsie Conroy

I serve buyers and sellers everywhere in San Luis Obispo County - San Luis Obispo, CA

Energetic, Enthusiastic, Knowledgeable Realtor

I'm not a lawyer, but as you say, even convicted felons have to live somewhere. I know that in CA, there is a list of registered sex offenders that you can check before you buy or rent in a neighborhood, if that is of concern to you. And that person who called you would appear on the list if he rented in your area.

I know of one case where a convict was paroled and it was so difficult to find a place where he could live (he, too was a sex offender and had some other complications) that they ended up putting a trailer on the prison grounds for him to rent. There are such tough rules about WHERE sex offenders can live, that in some communities there is literally no legal spot for them. That could be the case where you live, as well.

It's truly a tough call. I would check with my broker and my local association to see what rules apply. And if you don't feel comfortable dealing with this person, you could always refer him to a colleague who wouldn't mind helping him find a place.

May 27, 2011 03:14 PM

Karen Steed

Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA

Associate Broker Haralson Realty

Sonsie - Thanks for the comment. This is a situation that I'm sure will become more common. When offenders are released from jail, sometimes there is no place for them to go.

May 30, 2011 12:17 AM

Anonymous

Candace

wow people to day!!!!! ok we know that being a sexoffender is bad and some will repeat but then their are those that will not but yet we still make it harder for those that have done the crime and has done the time for the crime that whey commited. I belive that their should be a place for them to live with out getting comments from rude and ugly people. How do they reabilitate we are the ones that let them out of prison when their time is done thier should be a place for them to go so that they can live. Most of us people complain because their are two many people on the streets and we complain because their is an offender that lives close to you their should be away to fix it because not every sexoffender is a repeat offender and I belive they shouldnt half to register if they have proved in everyway possiable that they wont be a repeat offender I say this because I have a friend that is an awsome father who is a sex offender and does everything he can to stay out of trouble and help raze his kids and does everything he can to keep his kids from following his foot steps... Their has to be a place they can go to to live their lifes. We made it hard for them to reabilitate themselfs its hard for them to have a job its hard for them to have a place to live but yet we expect them to change their ways and we grant them the chance to get out of jail...

Jul 26, 2011 09:40 AM

Elizabeth

My husband is a registered sex offender because he had consentiual sex with a minor. Her father found out and pressed charges. People are makin it like all sex offenders are the same and their not. He is in ISF right now and is waiting to find a house to stay in before he can be released. This is very difficult on us considering we have a one month old daughter. Please take the time to ask about someone's crime before assuming that everyone is the same...

Jul 05, 2012 03:44 AM

B.Smith

I have a 24 y/o son a felnoy whos living for a place to have on his own.He I just got out of a marriage. All he needs a second chance of life. Yes he is woorking and also looking for a good decend job. But he can't. Because of hhis background.

Apr 05, 2013 06:01 AM

Inna Ivchenko

Barcode Properties - Encino, CA

Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

A sex offender is not to be confused with a child molester. Not every sex offender is a child molester but every child molester is a sex offender.

Apr 25, 2016 05:39 PM

I'm glad, you even considered helping him and did find a place. I try to find a place for two white- color pros with 4 y.o. foreclosure that ruined their credit and have no luck so far, but I'm sure someone there to help us too.

Apr 25, 2016 05:41 PM

I am a convicted felon and a registered sex offender. Do you have a rental?

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