An eviction is one of the most serious marks that can appear in a renter’s history. It can influence housing access, screening outcomes, deposit requirements, and long-term financial stability. Because of these impacts, many renters wonder: how long does an eviction stay on record? Landlords also need accurate information to evaluate risk fairly and comply with state and federal housing laws.

This guide explains how eviction records work, how long they remain visible, how they affect credit, and what steps may help reduce their impact. The article also outlines best practices for landlords reviewing applicants with prior evictions.

Key takeaways: 

  • Eviction filings and judgments typically stay on tenant screening reports for seven years, consistent with FCRA rules, although some state court databases may keep them visible longer.
  • An eviction does not appear on credit reports, but unpaid rent sent to collections can damage credit for up to seven years.
  • Eviction records may appear in public court records, tenant screening reports, and rental history databases, even if the tenant ultimately wins the case.
  • Many states allow sealing, expungement, or vacating eviction records, especially for dismissed cases or cases resolved in the tenant’s favor.
  • Renting after an eviction is possible by strengthening the application with income documentation, references, a co-signer, or proof of steady payment history.

What Exactly Is an Eviction Record?

An eviction record is a court-verified history showing that a landlord filed legal action to remove a tenant. It includes filings related to unpaid rent, lease violations, or other grounds allowed under state law. These records appear in public court databases and in tenant screening reports, often making future housing approval more challenging because they remain accessible to landlords and screening companies for several years.

what appears in an eviction record and how it’s created

Where does an eviction show up?

An eviction may appear in:

  • Public Court Records: Court databases often show filing dates, case numbers, hearing notes, and judgments. In many states, the record appears as soon as the case is filed, even if the tenant ultimately wins.
  • Tenant Screening Reports: Specialty tenant screening services collect data from public court records nationwide and compile it into a rental history report. Landlords frequently rely on these reports during the application process. Guidance on interpreting screening data can be found in resources such as how to pass a background check for an apartment.
  • Credit reports Credit bureaus do not report eviction filings, judgments, or dismissals. However, unpaid rent sent to collections may show up as a collection account. This creates confusion, contributing to questions such as does credit report show evictions.
  • Landlord Reference Checks: When prospective landlords conduct a thorough vetting process, they will often contact previous landlords to inquire about tenancy history, which may include details about a past eviction. Landlords often need to know how to check eviction history to ensure they are making an informed decision.

Are evictions public record?

In most states, eviction cases remain public. Exceptions exist in places such as California, Connecticut, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado, where early sealing or restricted access applies under certain conditions. Some states seal cases that are dismissed, withdrawn, or ruled in the tenant’s favor.

How Long Does an Eviction Stay on Your Record?

Eviction records typically remain on public court systems for seven years. This period aligns with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which limits how long negative information can appear in consumer reports.

duration an eviction remains on court records, credit reports, and screening files

The timeline varies slightly:

  • Court records: Often visible indefinitely, but reporting companies usually limit visibility to seven years.
  • Tenant screening reports: Usually report evictions for seven years, consistent with FCRA rules.
  • Credit reports: Only show related debts. Collection accounts usually fall off after seven years.

The most common answer to do evictions go away after 7 years stems from the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law governs how consumer reporting agencies, including tenant screening companies, can report adverse information.

The seven-year period answers multiple related questions:

  • Do evictions go on your record? Yes. Most states record eviction filings, judgments, or agreements.
  • When does an eviction go on your record? Often immediately at filing, even before a hearing.
  • Do evictions go away? Not automatically. They age off most screening reports after seven years, but some court systems keep them visible permanently.
  • Are evictions permanently on your record? Not on consumer reports. Court databases may retain them permanently unless sealing or expungement applies.
  • How long does rental history stay on a report? Standard rental history remains visible for seven years.

Because these timelines shape housing access, many renters explore whether records can be sealed, dismissed, or disputed. Detailed instructions for disputing inaccurate information appear in how to dispute eviction on a tenant screening report.

Does an Eviction Affect Your Credit?

While an eviction case itself doesn't directly cause a drop in a credit score, the financial fallout associated with it almost always does.

overview of credit impact caused by eviction-related collections

The key fact to remember is that does an eviction affect your credit through the mechanism of debt collection.

  • Unpaid Rent and Damages: An eviction is often, but not always, tied to unpaid rent or property damage that exceeds the security deposit. A landlord has a right to recoup these losses.
  • Collection Agency: If the landlord cannot collect the funds directly, they will frequently sell the debt to a third-party collection agency.
  • Credit Report Impact: The collection agency then reports the delinquent debt to the major credit bureaus.  This collection account will stay on the credit report for seven years from the date of the first missed payment that led to the collection, as governed by the FCRA.

It is possible to have an eviction on the tenant screening report but not on the credit report, particularly if all outstanding balances were paid or if the landlord never referred the matter to collections. 

However, in most situations, an eviction results in both a rental history flag and a credit report delinquency.

How to Rent With an Eviction on Your Record

steps tenants use to rent successfully with an eviction history

A past eviction is a significant hurdle, but it is not a permanent barrier to finding a new home. Tenants can take proactive steps to improve their chances of approval, a process often referred to as figuring out how to rent with an eviction on your record.

Step 1: Clean Up the Record

Applicants often begin by reviewing:

  • Public court records Verify whether the case was dismissed or incorrectly labeled.
  • Tenant screening reports Request copies from screening companies and dispute errors.
  • Credit reports Review for collection accounts tied to rent. Detailed instructions appear in How to Remove Evictions From Credit Report resources.

Incorrect data can be challenged, especially if:

  • The case was dismissed
  • The tenant won in court
  • The claimant misreported dates, amounts, or outcomes
  • The record belongs to another individual with a similar name

Step 2: Strengthen the Application

Applications may become more competitive through:

  • Documented, stable income (see more on how to show proof of income)
  • A guarantor or co-signer : A qualified guarantor reduces perceived risk for landlords.
  • A clear rental résumé summarizing work history, stable housing, and references
  • A willingness to pay a higher security deposit where legally permitted. 

Some jurisdictions restrict deposit increases, so landlords must review state and city rules before requesting additional funds.

Step 3: Target the Right Landlords

Applicants often have better success with:

  • Private landlords: Smaller, individual property owners often evaluate cases personally rather than relying solely on automated screening.
  • Landlords familiar with unique situations: Cases involving job loss, illness, or domestic violence protection orders are often viewed more sympathetically when documentation exists.

Step 4: Use References and Documentation

References from previous landlords, supervisors, or community leaders help establish reliability. Helpful questions for these references appear in questions to ask tenant references.

Documentation is equally important:

Step 5: Get Help If Needed

Tenants navigating complicated eviction histories may require assistance from housing-support programs. Several resources are available depending on location:

  • Legal aid clinics help interpret eviction records, request court sealing, and negotiate settlements.
  • Local housing authorities often provide mediation services or relocation counseling.
  • Nonprofit eviction-prevention programs assist with debt repayment, landlord communication, and application preparation.
  • State court facilitators help residents file motions to seal eviction records where allowed.

Applicants may also review eligibility for specialized housing programs, including Section 8. Landlords who work with such programs may refer to how to screen section 8 tenants for compliance-friendly screening practices.

When preparing future applications, applicants often find it helpful to review common requirements through LeaseRunner resources such as rental application questions and questions to ask before signing a lease. These guides clarify what documentation should be prepared in advance.

How to Remove an Eviction From Your Record?

methods to remove or correct eviction records depending on state laws

Removing an eviction depends on the type of record and state rules. The answer to how fast you can get an eviction off your record depends on the method below.

Address the Public Court Record

Possible options include:

  • Sealing: Available in states such as California, Minnesota, and Colorado under specific conditions. Sealing hides the case from public view.
  • Expungement: Some states allow full removal when cases were dismissed or the tenant prevailed.
  • Vacating a judgment: If a judgment was entered without proper notice or due to legal errors, courts may vacate the ruling.

Timelines vary. Some states allow sealing immediately after dismissal; others require waiting periods.

Manage Tenant Screening and Credit Reports

After fixing the court record, the next step is updating screening and credit files.

  • Submit disputes to screening companies
  • Provide supporting documents
  • Dispute related credit accounts if inaccurate

Credit-related issues follow federal timelines under the FCRA. Collection accounts usually fall off after seven years unless they were reported incorrectly.

Proactive Steps for Future Renting

Even when an eviction cannot be fully removed, applicants can strengthen future rental applications by:

Tips for Landlords Evaluating Tenants With Evictions

Housing providers must balance risk management with federal, state, and local compliance. Evaluating an applicant with a past eviction requires a consistent, documented, and legally compliant process.

guidance for landlords reviewing applicants who have eviction histories

Legal and Fair Housing Compliance

Landlords must avoid policies that disproportionately affect protected classes. HUD guidance warns against blanket bans on renters with prior evictions. Fair, case-by-case evaluations are recommended.

Screening must also follow FCRA rules. Applicants must provide consent, and adverse decisions require an adverse action notice.  

Contextual Evaluation of the Eviction

A contextual review improves fairness:

  • Was the eviction based on nonpayment?
  • Did it involve property damage or safety concerns?
  • Was it tied to job loss, medical emergencies, or domestic violence?
  • How long ago did it occur?
  • Was it a filing only, or a completed judgment?

Some states report eviction filings even when tenants win. This nuance matters when interpreting records.

Holistic Risk Assessment

Holistic analysis may include:

  • Income stability
  • Employment history
  • Current debt obligations
  • Reference checks
  • Rent-to-income ratios
  • Prior landlord feedback

Rental application consistency matters. Landlords often consider whether the applicant’s financial situation improved after the prior eviction. For example:

  • A renter may have been evicted in 2020 after pandemic-related layoffs but now holds stable long-term employment.
  • Another applicant may show a strong rent payment pattern over the last 24 months supported by bank statements.

Context matters far more than a single entry on a screening report.

Conclusion

Having an eviction on your record can make renting more challenging, but it does not mean you are out of options. By correcting inaccurate information, preparing strong documentation, and applying with the right landlords, many renters successfully secure housing again. Resources like income verification, rental references, and clear payment history can go a long way toward rebuilding trust.

If you’re a landlord or renter looking for reliable tools to navigate screening, applications, and rental decisions, LeaseRunner provides online tenant screening, background checks, and educational guides to make the process easier and more transparent for everyone.

FAQs

Do Evictions Stay Permanently on Your Record?

Not on consumer reports. Tenant screening companies typically remove evictions after seven years. However, some court systems may retain filings permanently unless state laws allow sealing or expungement.

Does Every State Handle Evictions Differently?

Yes. States vary widely in eviction timelines, sealing rules, and notice requirements. For example:

  • California often seals cases early if tenants win within 60 days.
  • Minnesota allows certain tenants to petition for expungement.
  • Colorado expanded automatic sealing for cases dismissed or resolved in tenants’ favor.

More details on notice timelines appear in how long an eviction takes.

How Bad Is It to Have an Eviction on Your Record?

The impact depends on the case details. Some landlords overlook filings tied to temporary hardships. Others prioritize applicants with clean histories due to risk considerations. A clear record of timely payments after the eviction reduces negative impressions.

How Long Does Bad Rental History Last?

Most rental history, including late payments and negative entries, lasts seven years on screening reports. Some private databases may retain information longer, but federal reporting rules generally limit visibility.