How Long Does an Eviction Stay on Your Record?

Evictions appear on your credit report for at least seven years. If an eviction results from a judgment against you in court, it will stay on your record for whichever is longer: seven years or until the statute of limitations in your state runs out. In some states, that can mean up to ten years. 

A prospective landlord will see your past evictions any time they run a credit or background check through a tenant screening service, until the derogatory data falls off your records.

But you may be able to have the eviction removed from your record sooner. Read on to learn more about how evictions can affect your credit report and other public records, as well as what you can do about it.

The Impact of an Eviction

A history of eviction can affect you in several direct and indirect ways. If your eviction appears as a delinquent account on your credit report, it will negatively impact your credit score. It could be harder to get approved for loans or credit cards in the future, and you may face higher insurance premiums. 

An eviction may also make it harder to be hired for jobs that require credit checks. A delinquent account may make employers question whether they can trust you with money or other company assets. 

Though evictions will appear on your public record, they are unlikely to appear on your criminal record. If you were evicted through the court system, any judgments against you will appear on your credit report for up to seven years. 

Landlords are typically reluctant to rent to tenants with an eviction in their past, so you will have to work extra hard to position yourself as a trustworthy tenant. 

How to Have an Eviction Removed From Your Record

Even once the debt is settled, evictions will remain on your credit report for seven years or until the statute of limitations is up. However, there are a few scenarios in which you might be able to have an eviction removed early.

  • A pay-for-deletion arrangement: You may be able to convince your landlord to write a letter to the credit bureaus requesting that delinquent information related to your debt be removed from your credit report in exchange for paying your debt in full. This can be tricky because landlords have no legal obligation to do this for you. This strategy may not work, but it’s definitely worth a try.
  • If your eviction is falsely reported: Credit bureaus make occasional reporting errors. If the dates, outstanding balance, or other details related to your eviction are incorrect, you can dispute them with the credit bureau. Check your report regularly and contest any false information you find.
  • Have the eviction expunged: After you settle your debt, you may be able to have your eviction removed from your public record. Once the record is expunged, it will be sealed, and prospective landlords will no longer see the eviction on your record. You may also have an eviction expunged as part of a settlement deal made with your landlord in court. 

How to Rent With an Eviction on Your Record

Just because you have an eviction doesn’t mean you’ll be unable to rent for the next seven years, but it will make the process more difficult. Here are some tips for proving to landlords that you can be a reliable tenant, regardless of negative data from your past. 

Be proactive

Tell the landlord or property manager you have an eviction before they view your application. Explain the circumstances of your eviction and highlight the steps you’ve taken to ensure it won’t happen again. If the eviction occurred several years ago and you can prove that you’ve been a good tenant since the landlord might rent to you. 

Prepay

The term “money talks” is not a popular phrase for nothing. If you can show a landlord you have three to six months’ rent in hand and are willing to pay upfront, you might win over a hesitant landlord.

Work on your credit score

If you have an eviction on your credit report, work to improve your credit history moving forward. Making on-time debt payments and maintaining a low debt to credit ratio will help you build credit. Circumstances change over time, so your prospective landlord might be willing to overlook a past eviction if you can demonstrate positive information on your credit report.   

Provide proof of steady employment

Having an eviction on your credit report may make your landlord wonder if you’ll be able to pay your rent on time. The more clear you can make it for your landlord that you earn a steady income, the easier it will be for them to overlook your eviction. Offer to show pay stubs or bank statements to prove that you’re solvent and capable of paying your rent. Highlight that you have steady employment and consider asking your manager for a reference letter. If you have multiple sources of income, bring them to your landlord’s attention.

Leverage letters of reference

A fantastic letter of reference is a powerful way to gain your prospective landlord’s favor. Landlords are looking for reliable tenants who will pay the rent and respect the property, so if you can provide glowing references, it could be enough to offset the eviction on your record. If you can’t provide positive references from former landlords, ask your boss, a colleague, or someone from your church or volunteer organizations to provide one. 

Live with roommates

If your eviction was recent, you might need to take some time to build up your savings, positive credit data, and references before you find a landlord who is willing to take a chance on you again. Living with roommates, especially individuals with solid credit and excellent rental references, will take the pressure off your credit and rental history when looking for an apartment. A co-living arrangement is a great stepping stone that offers the opportunity to build a positive relationship with a new landlord while saving on housing expenses and building your credit.

Have someone cosign your lease

Having a parent, friend, or family member with good credit cosign your lease could make it easier to secure a rental if you have an eviction on your record. Just keep in mind that if you miss a rent payment, your cosigner will be legally liable to pay the landlord what you owe. Both of your credit scores could be negatively impacted if you cannot keep up with your rent payments. 

The Bottom Line

If you know you have an eviction on your record, disclose it to your prospective landlord. Landlords will most likely discover your eviction in their screening process. Letting them know about it ahead of time allows you to illustrate that you are a reliable tenant despite past struggles. Finding a rental with an eviction on your record won’t be easy, but if you are persistent and patient, there’s a good chance you’ll succeed.