What Is Second Chance Leasing?

When’s the last time you wanted or were forced to move to a new location? What was that experience like? Did you have any issues trying to find a place? Were you constantly turned down in the application approval process? Did you fail to meet certain requirements? 

For too many people in this world, finding a quality, affordable, and livable place to live in this day and age is impossible -- even when looking at a rental property. Most landowners today have no interest in accepting anyone with a negative rental history, which is something many people have. 



This not only puts that individual and their family in a tough position, but it contributes to the alarming number of people that are currently homeless or living in unlivable conditions. In order to ensure these people can live a normal, healthy, happy, and quality life, they need assistance.

So, What is Second-Chance Leasing?

Second-chance leasing is a unique initiative offered by some landlords that aim to provide affordable housing to those with a negative rental history. They’re willing to overlook certain issues and shortcomings in the past, giving you a much-needed opportunity to reinvent yourself. 

For most people, a negative rental history can follow them for years -- seven years, in some cases. Since a lot can happen in seven years and you should never judge a book by its cover, it makes sense to forgive certain individuals who were put in a tough position in the past. 

With a second-chance rental property, the landlord generally requires a larger security deposit before approving the tenant. Should you decide to break your rental agreement or fail to pay rent, a larger security deposit helps protect the landlord -- after all, they’re the ones taking the risk. 

Who Qualifies for Second-Chance Rentals?

Second-chance leasing can change a family’s fortune for the better and be the break that they’ve been waiting for in life. While it’s not designed to help everyone, there are a lot of people that qualify for second-chance leasing and most of them have no idea the initiative exists. 

Let’s take a look at some of the major reasons why someone might quality for second-chance leasing:

• Anyone with a broken lease in their past
• Anyone who was evicted from their home in the past
• Anyone who owes money for damages to a past rental
• Anyone with a ‘Failure to Give Notice’ on their rental history
• Anyone who filed for bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past
• Anyone with a misdemeanor or felony offense on their record
• Anyone who struggled to pay rent on time in the past
• Anyone with poor credit



If you have a bad rental history and you’re tired of getting declined when you apply for a lease, make it a goal to resolve those past issues -- even if that means signing up for a payment plan. Anything to show that you’re serious about righting your wrongs will help you get approved.

Benefits of Second-Chance Leasing

As you can likely imagine, second-chance leasing comes with a variety of benefits that help contribute to a prosperous community and an improved quality of life for those that inhabit it. As more landlords decide to offer this initiative, the more good it can do for communities worldwide. 

Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits of second-chance leasing:

• Struggling families have access to rental opportunities, despite a bad rental history
• Families can view this opportunity as a fresh start towards a better future
• If you establish a good relationship with your landlord, you’ll have higher success rates with future applications
• Reduces homelessness, as well as all the other problems that stem from it
• Helps communities grow by giving struggling families a place to live and prosper
• It’s a way for landlords to give back to their community help a family in need
• When communities thrive, the entire world thrives with them and we all stand to benefit

When done correctly, second-chance leasing stands to benefit everyone involved. It contributes to a better life for those that need it most, it helps apartment communities bounce back and start to thrive, and gives landlords a sense of pride knowing they helped a family find peace and tranquility.

Tips on Finding a Second-Chance Community

Finding an affordable home or second-chance apartment in the area you’re interested in is much easier said than done -- let alone finding one that offers second-chance rental opportunities. Since not every apartment complex or housing community offers it, you truly have to know where to look. 

Don’t worry, we have some tips to help you find the second-chance community of your dreams: 

• Don’t be afraid to ask up-front if they offer a second-chance initiative
• Search online, especially since a lot of second-chance apartment and housing communities advertise it on their website
• Use a second-chance apartment locator online
• Before making anything official, read past tenant reviews and feedback on both the landlord and community
• Be honest with your landlord throughout the application and approval process
• If you have any past rental issues, try to resolve them before applying elsewhere
• Schedule an in-person or virtual tour to get a good sense of what the community is like on a daily basis
• Do what’s best for you and your family -- you deserve to live a quality, healthy, and happy life



If you’re serious about finding the perfect home for you and your family -- which everyone is -- then you’ll eventually find it. It might take a little longer and a little more effort for some people, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The good news is we’re always here to help you!

Old Glory Housing Can Help You Find a Forever Home

At Old Glory Housing, we understand how much stress and frustration is involved in searching for a new home -- especially for those with a negative rental history. If you’re interested in finding a forever home and building a better future for you and your family, Old Glory Housing can help. 



We help people just like you find affordable housing opportunities in communities designed to help them thrive. Whether you’re homeless, a struggling veteran, a low-income individual, or a struggling family, we want to help put you in a better position. Contact us today to learn more!