How to Know If You Have an Eviction on Your Credit

An eviction record can impact future housing opportunities and financial standing. Understanding how to determine if an eviction appears on your records is important for renters. Knowing your housing history allows for proactive engagement with potential landlords and helps manage your financial data.

Understanding Eviction Records and Your Credit

An eviction record refers to the legal process initiated by a landlord to remove a tenant from a property. While a direct eviction filing does not appear on a traditional credit report as a trade line, certain aspects of an eviction can affect your financial profile. If a landlord obtains a money judgment against a tenant for unpaid rent or damages, this civil judgment may become part of public records and could be reported to credit bureaus. Also, an unpaid debt owed to a landlord following an eviction, such as outstanding rent or fees, might be sent to a collection agency. This collection account can then be reported to the major credit bureaus, potentially lowering your credit score.

Tenant screening companies maintain specialized databases that track eviction filings and judgments, separate from standard credit reports. These specialized reports are used by landlords to assess a prospective tenant’s rental history. An eviction can affect your ability to secure new housing, even if it doesn’t directly impact your credit score like a defaulted loan. A mere late rent payment, if not leading to a formal eviction filing or a money judgment, does not appear on these records.

Accessing Your Credit Reports

To determine if an eviction-related item appears on your traditional credit reports, access your free annual credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official source for these reports. You are entitled to one free report from each bureau every 12 months, obtainable online, by phone, or by mail.

When reviewing these reports, focus on the “Public Records” section for any civil judgments, including money judgments awarded to a landlord. Also, examine the “Collection Accounts” section for entries from past landlords or collection agencies related to rental arrears or property damages. These entries list the original creditor, amount owed, and account opening date. This helps you understand how an eviction may be reflected on your credit history.

Reviewing Tenant Screening Reports

Tenant screening reports are distinct from credit reports and are a primary source of eviction information for landlords. These reports compile data relevant to rental history, including past eviction filings, judgments, or dismissals. Unlike standard credit reports, there isn’t one central website to obtain all tenant screening reports, as various companies provide these services. Many landlords use specific screening companies, and you have the right to request a copy of any report a landlord used to evaluate your application.

You can also proactively request reports from major tenant screening companies that compile such data. Examples include LexisNexis, CoreLogic, TransUnion SmartMove, and Experian Connect. Each company has a process on its website for consumers to request a copy of their report. When reviewing these reports, look for terms like “unlawful detainer,” “forcible entry and detainer,” or “eviction filing,” along with the case status and any judgment or dismissal.

Checking Public Court Records

Eviction proceedings are legal actions filed in local civil courts, and these court records are accessible to the public. This means that even if an eviction does not appear on your credit report or a tenant screening report, it might still be found in public court databases. Many state and local court systems now provide online portals where you can search for civil cases. You can search these portals by name, case number, or party name.

To search effectively, you will need your full legal name, any previous names, and approximate dates of tenancy or when an eviction might have occurred. If online access is not available or if you require more detailed information, you can visit the clerk’s office at the courthouse in the jurisdiction where the property was located. At the courthouse, you can request to view public records for civil cases, looking for filings related to “unlawful detainer,” “forcible entry and detainer,” or “eviction.” The records will show the filing date, case status, and any final judgments.

Interpreting and Correcting Information

Once you have gathered your credit reports, tenant screening reports, and public court records, carefully interpret the information. Distinguish between an eviction case that was merely filed, one that resulted in a judgment against you, and one that was dismissed or settled. A filed case might still appear but carries less weight than a judgment. Understanding the outcome helps you frame discussions with future landlords.

If you find inaccuracies on your credit reports, you have the right to dispute them directly with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Provide supporting documentation to prove the information is incorrect or outdated. The credit bureaus are required to investigate your dispute within 30 days.

For inaccuracies on tenant screening reports, contact the specific tenant screening company that provided the report. They also have a process for reinvestigating disputed information. Correcting public court records is more complex and may require legal action, such as filing a motion with the court to amend or expunge the record.