# Order of Non-Disclosure in Texas (Ch. 411) | FFA | Felon Friendly Apartments

> How sealing a record works under Government Code Chapter 411 Subchapter E-1: eligibility, how it differs from expungement, and screening effect.

URL: https://felonfriendlyapartments.com/guide/order-of-non-disclosure-in-texas-chapter-411/
Last-Modified: 2026-07-20

GUIDE

# Order of Non-Disclosure in Texas (Chapter 411)

How sealing a record works under Government Code Chapter 411 Subchapter E-1: eligibility, how it differs from expungement, and screening effect.

![Person reviewing sealed record paperwork at a desk, candid light](/images/misc/person-reviewing-sealed-record-paperwork-at-a-desk.webp)

How sealing a record works under Government Code Chapter 411 Subchapter E-1: eligibility, how it differs from expungement, and screening effect.

## What this guide covers

-   Government Code Chapter 411 Subchapter E-1
-   Eligibility basics and difference from expungement
-   Screening effect; not-legal-advice disclaimer

![Legal document with a highlighted section, everyday setting](/images/misc/legal-document-with-a-highlighted-section-everyday.webp)

## Background

Explain sealing a record and its screening effect, with legal-aid referral. (Renter wants to understand sealing a record and its screening effect.)

## What matters most

-   **Government Code Chapter 411 Subchapter E-1.** Understanding this piece typically has the largest single effect on approval odds.
-   **Eligibility basics and difference from expungement.** Two identical applicants can get different answers at different properties for this reason.
-   **Screening effect; not-legal-advice disclaimer.** Preparation cuts down on repeated applications and burned fees.

## Honest expectations

We are direct with renters about what this record type does and does not open. Where a situation is a near-universal hard stop, we say so up front rather than collect an application fee. Where a property will genuinely review, we identify it so you spend your one application well.

## What to do next

1.  Pull your own screening report so you know what a landlord will see. See 
    
    how to check your own background before you apply
    
    [/guide/how-to-check-your-own-background-before-you-apply/ →](/guide/how-to-check-your-own-background-before-you-apply/)
    
    .
2.  Line up certified dispositions from the county clerk and any completion documentation.
3.  Have income verification ready — most Texas apartments want gross monthly income at 3x rent.
4.  Get a pre-screened shortlist before you apply blind.

## Related

-   Expungement In Texas Chapter 55a
    
    [/guide/expungement-in-texas-chapter-55a/ →](/guide/expungement-in-texas-chapter-55a/)
    
-   Non Disclosure Order
    
    [/non-disclosure-order/ →](/non-disclosure-order/)
    

## Common Questions

Difference between expungement and non-disclosure in Texas?

Expungement removes a record; non-disclosure seals it. Not legal advice.

Does a non-disclosure order stop apartments seeing my record?

It should for most screening, though lag can cause it to appear.

How do I get an order of non-disclosure?

Through the court if eligible; consult qualified legal aid.

## Related Guides

### Arrest vs. Conviction on a Background Check

How screening treats an arrest vs. a conviction, why arrests can still surface, disposition status, and FCRA limits on old arrest records.

Read guide →

[Arrest vs. Conviction on a Background Check →](/guide/arrest-vs-conviction-on-a-background-check/)

### Auto-Decline vs. Case-by-Case Review

What 'case by case review' really means: genuine individualized assessment vs. a fee-collection line, and how to tell them apart.

Read guide →

[Auto-Decline vs. Case-by-Case Review →](/guide/auto-decline-vs-case-by-case-review/)

### Criminal Background Lookback Periods Explained

How apartment lookback windows work: 5, 7, and 10-year policies, blanket vs. offense-type rules, and why conviction age shifts your odds.

Read guide →

[Criminal Background Lookback Periods Explained →](/guide/criminal-background-lookback-periods-explained/)

### DWI Non-Disclosure in Texas (Section 411.072)

The DWI sealing path under 411.072 (H.B. 3016): who qualifies for a first-time DWI, waiting periods, and screening effect. Not legal advice.

Read guide →

[DWI Non-Disclosure in Texas (Section 411.072) →](/guide/dwi-non-disclosure-in-texas-411-072/)

![](/images/misc/garden-style-texas-apartment-courtyard-at-dusk-wit.webp)

## Ready to Find Apartments That Accept Your Record?

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[/contact/ →](/contact/)