It's been my experience that many, many private landlords don't even do credit or criminal checks on their applicants. This is why these types of places can be sought out by folks who might automatically be turned down by larger complexes that would not accept an applicant with any criminal background.

As suggested, don't volunteer information but answer the questions honestly if asked. This is especially true if there is an application and this question is on the application; failure to complete an application is often an automatic rejection of an applicant as the concern over "hiding" something would be raised.

Gail