How Long Do Evictions Stay on Your Credit Report?

An eviction is a legal process initiated by a landlord to remove a tenant from a rented property, typically due to a breach of the lease agreement, most commonly non-payment of rent. Evictions are public records and can significantly impact an individual’s housing and financial standing. Understanding these ramifications is important for future housing and financial decisions.

Eviction Reporting Timeline

While an eviction judgment itself does not appear directly on your credit report, information related to unpaid rent, late payments, or civil judgments resulting from an eviction can remain on your credit report for up to seven years. This seven-year period begins from the date the original debt became delinquent or the date of the court judgment.

Unpaid rent that a landlord sells to a collection agency will appear on your credit report as a collection account. Public records, such as civil judgments for unpaid rent, may also be reported and can stay on your record for a similar duration, though major credit bureaus largely stopped reporting most civil judgments in 2017. However, tenant screening companies often access court records for eviction cases, which can show up for longer than seven years, regardless of whether the eviction directly impacts your credit report.

Credit Report Impact

An eviction record, even if not directly listed as “eviction” on a credit report, can negatively affect your financial profile. Unpaid rent sent to collections or civil judgments for outstanding balances can significantly lower your credit score. A single collection account can cause a credit score drop of 50 to 100 points, depending on your prior credit standing. This reflects an increased financial risk to potential lenders and landlords.

Landlords frequently check credit and tenant screening reports when processing rental applications. An eviction, or related financial delinquencies, can make it considerably more challenging to secure new housing, as landlords may perceive you as a higher risk tenant. Beyond housing, a poor credit history resulting from an eviction can create difficulties in obtaining other forms of credit, such as credit cards, car loans, or personal loans, due to perceived financial instability.

Accessing Your Credit Report

Regularly checking your credit reports helps you understand your financial standing and identify any eviction-related records. You have the right to obtain a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This can be done by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only website authorized by federal law to provide these free reports. You can also request reports by calling 1-877-322-8228 or by mailing a completed Annual Credit Report Request Form.

When reviewing your credit report, look for sections related to public records, which might include civil judgments for unpaid rent, or collection accounts from former landlords or debt collection agencies. While the term “eviction” may not explicitly appear, associated debts or judgments can indicate a past tenancy issue. Some tenant screening companies also provide separate reports detailing rental history, which may show eviction filings directly. Reviewing these reports helps identify any discrepancies or unexpected entries.

Disputing Inaccurate Eviction Records

If you identify an eviction-related entry on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate or reported incorrectly, you have the right to dispute it. Begin by gathering supporting documentation:

• Court documents showing a dismissal
• Receipts proving rent payments
• Correspondence with your former landlord
• Proof of settlement agreements or evidence of errors in the eviction process

Next, initiate a formal dispute directly with each credit bureau reporting the inaccurate information, such as Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. You can do this through their online portals, by mail, or over the phone. Clearly explain the specific information that is incorrect and provide copies of your supporting documents, not originals. The credit bureaus are required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to investigate your dispute within 30 days.

You should also contact the original furnisher of the information, which could be the landlord or the court, to inform them of the inaccuracy and request a correction. Maintain detailed records of all communications, including dates and names of representatives. If the credit bureau finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, they must delete or correct it from your report. After the investigation, request an updated copy of your credit report to confirm the changes have been made.