Most eviction records remain visible for about seven years, though the exact timeframe can differ based on state regulations. While the eviction notice itself won’t be listed on your credit file, any overdue rent that gets turned over to a collection agency can damage your credit during that same period.
If you’re worried about how an eviction or other financial setbacks may affect your future, the trusted bankruptcy attorneys in Louisville at O’Bryan Law Offices are ready to help.
Call us at (502) 339-0222 for a free consultation and start exploring real solutions today.
How Evictions Are Reported
1. Tenant Screening Reports
Landlords often rely on tenant screening services when deciding whether to approve rental applications. These reports can include eviction filings and judgments, which typically remain for up to seven years.
Because most property managers use these reports as part of their decision process, even an old eviction can make finding housing more difficult. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what shows up and how long it will stay.
2. Credit Reports
The eviction itself won’t appear on your credit report, but unpaid rent or court-related debts tied to the eviction may still surface. If a landlord or property manager sells the debt to a collection agency, it will show up as a collection account.
Collections can harm your credit score for years, making it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards, or even future rentals. Keeping track of these entries is critical to protecting your financial health.
3. Public Records
Court records are generally considered public, which means eviction lawsuits may be accessible to landlords, employers, or anyone searching your name. This can affect your ability to secure a rental property, since the record may remain available long after the initial filing, depending on the laws in your state.
Even if the eviction no longer appears on your credit or screening report, a public record can still influence how others view your reliability as a tenant. To improve your chances of getting an eviction off your record, it’s often best to work with a legal professional who understands the process and your state’s laws.
Who Can See an Eviction Record?
Eviction filings are public records, which means they can be viewed by more than just landlords. Because they are part of the legal process, these records may remain accessible for years, even after they drop from credit or tenant screening reports.
When dealing with an eviction, it’s important to know who might have access to your history. Public records can appear in different types of checks, which may affect housing, employment, or credit opportunities.
Who may access eviction records:
- Landlords and property managers through tenant screening services
- Employers during certain background checks
- Lenders or creditors, when reviewing applications
- The general public through court databases or local clerks’ offices
Factors Affecting Eviction Duration
State Laws
How long an eviction stays on your record often depends on where you live. Some states follow the federal guideline of seven years, while others may allow records to remain for longer.
Since landlord–tenant laws vary widely, it’s important to check your state’s specific rules to know exactly how long an eviction could affect you.
Type of Record
Not all records are treated equally. A tenant screening report may list eviction data for up to seven years, while a civil judgment from the court can remain accessible for the same period or longer.
The kind of record tied to your eviction plays a big role in its impact. Knowing whether it’s just a filing, a judgment, or a collection helps you prepare the right strategy.
Debt Resolution
Paying off unpaid rent or reaching an agreement with your landlord can sometimes reduce the negative impact of an eviction. If your debt is resolved, landlords may choose not to sell the account to collections.
This can prevent long-term damage to your credit and reduce how often the eviction shows up in reports. Always try to get any payment agreement in writing to protect yourself.
Record Sealing or Expungement
In certain states, you may be able to request that an eviction record be sealed or removed from public view. This is more likely if the case was dismissed or resolved in your favor.
Sealing your record makes it much harder for future landlords or employers to find, giving you a chance to move forward without the weight of past mistakes.
Reporting Practices
Tenant screening companies and credit agencies each have their own reporting systems. Some may automatically drop older records, while others may keep them visible longer.
Because of this, it’s smart to check your reports regularly. Catching outdated or inaccurate eviction entries early gives you the opportunity to dispute them.
What You Can Do
1. Check Your Records
Start by reviewing your tenant screening report and credit report. These documents will show whether your eviction, collections, or other negative marks are still being reported.
By knowing exactly what’s on file, you can catch errors and address outdated information that may be making it harder to rent or rebuild credit.
2. Address Outstanding Debts
If you still owe money from unpaid rent or fees, work with your former landlord or the collection agency to resolve it. Even if paying doesn’t erase the record, it shows responsibility and can stop further damage.
Always request a written agreement when making payments so you have proof of resolution, which may help when applying for housing later on.
3. Seek Legal Help
Eviction laws vary from state to state, and an attorney can explain what options are available in your situation. In some cases, you may qualify for sealing or expungement of your record.
Speaking with our lawyer gives you the best chance of limiting the impact of an eviction and protecting your financial future. Reach out to us today!
Does an Eviction Show On Your Credit Report?
This question can be a tricky one. The eviction itself may not appear on credit reports, but any unpaid debt (like unpaid rent) can appear on your credit report if your previous landlord sold the debt to a collection agency. Most collection agencies report to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
These unpaid debts will show up as collections on your credit report. This can negatively impact your credit score. When your landlord sells your debts to a collection agency, they often call non-stop to get payments from you. You probably already know the extent of your financial troubles; you don’t need creditors constantly calling to remind you. At the O’Bryan Law Offices, we can help stop creditor harassment.
Can You Rent With an Eviction on Your Record?
Having an eviction on your rental history is never a good thing. An eviction makes you look like a risky tenant to any future landlords, and many may deny your rental applications. Most landlords and property managers require a good credit score to prove that you are a reliable tenant. Having an eviction on your record can be a major red flag and make it difficult to find a rental that meets your needs.
Evictions stay on your record for seven years, but many people are not the same person they were seven years ago. If you have an eviction on your record and are trying to rent a new place, follow the tips below to boost your chances.
Be Honest
Let your prospective landlord or property manager know the details of your eviction, especially if you have resolved everything with your previous landlord. Your credit history and tenant screening report only show your situation’s objective facts, which often don’t paint the whole picture.
Get a Cosigner
Sign the rental agreement with a cosigner. A cosigner can make a new landlord feel a little more confident that they will get their rental payments. A cosigner will be responsible for rent payments if you, for some reason, fail to pay rent on time.
Pay Upfront
Be prepared to pay a higher security deposit. If it’s financially possible for you, offer to pay multiple months’ rent upfront.
Build Your Credit
In the meantime, work on restoring your credit. On-time payment history and consistent access to credit can show that you are a responsible tenant, no matter what your record says.
How Long Does an Eviction Stay On Your Rental History Record?
Most tenant screening reports will show a previous eviction for at least seven years. Having an eviction judgment on your rental history report can make it extremely difficult to rent anywhere. Getting an eviction removed from your public records can be an extensive task, but it can be done. Make amends with your previous landlord. Pay any back rent and any fees associated with getting the apartment ready for a new tenant.
This can prevent your landlord from selling your debt to a collection agency, but make sure to get any payment agreements in writing. After paying back the landlord, you can ask them to remove the eviction record from tenant screening companies. This should allow you to rent a little easier in the future.
Can You Dispute an Eviction With the Credit Bureaus?
Credit bureaus do not report evictions, so you will not be able to dispute them. If you have a collection on your credit report, you can dispute the collection and have it removed. This can be a complex process. Paying the collection debt will not change your credit score or remove the collection from your credit report. Paying the debt will simply close the account with the debt collector. The collection account will still be visible on your credit report, which means your credit score will be significantly lower than it could be for up to seven years.
How to Remove a Civil Judgment From a Credit Report
Civil judgments no longer appear on credit reports from a credit bureau. The three major credit bureaus stopped reporting civil judgments in 2017. If your landlord wins an eviction judgment in civil court, it often has to stay on your public record for seven years.
How to Avoid Eviction
59% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, which means that many people are one month away from homelessness. Losing your home can be the result of several different factors. Avoiding eviction isn’t as simple as saying, “pay your rent on time.” While many tenants are evicted due to unpaid rent, that is often not the whole story. Fortunately, some options are available to help you avoid eviction.
Fight the Eviction in Court
You can dispute an eviction in court before it’s published on your record. An eviction notice is not the end of the case. The eviction process has proper procedures regarding how the eviction case can proceed. In Kentucky, this process includes a written notice and a legal cause for eviction. Evictions for unpaid rent require a 7-day notice to the tenant to allow them to avoid eviction. If the rent is not paid within 7 days, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
If the eviction is due to some kind of lease agreement violation, the tenant has 14 days to fix the violation. On the 15th day, the property owners can file suit against the tenant. You can fight the eviction suit if the landlord fails to provide these written notices or does not have a legal cause for eviction.
Payment Plan
In some cases, a landlord may let you set up a payment plan for the past-due rent. Be honest with your landlord about what’s happening in your life, and they may be able to help. Evictions require a lot of paperwork and fees, so your landlord probably wants to avoid court as much as you do.
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a debt relief option to help you get your life back on track. Many myths surround bankruptcy, so many are hesitant to even consider it. Bankruptcy puts an immediate stop on wage garnishments and lawsuits, including an eviction suit. Rent is an unsecured debt, which means late rent payments can be discharged when filing bankruptcy. The O’Bryan Law Offices is a family-owned and family-focused law firm. We know how financial struggles can bleed into every aspect of your life and cause undue stress and unhappiness. Let us help you!
Kentucky Credit Counseling Lawyers Are Here to Help
At the O’Bryan Law Offices, we know that life doesn’t always work out the way we want it to. Luckily for you, we have a team of Kentucky credit counseling attorneys that are ready to help you. We can help with every financial problem you may have, from debt consolidation to estate planning.
Call us today at (502) 339-0222 to learn how we can help you move forward with confidence.
FAQs
Yes. Strong letters of recommendation from employers, previous landlords, or community leaders can reassure a new landlord that you’re responsible, even if a past eviction shows up on your record.
In Kentucky, local laws generally follow the federal guidelines, which means an eviction appears on tenant screening and public records for up to seven years. However, the exact impact can depend on the type of case and whether the landlord pursues a judgment. While early removal isn’t common, working with a legal professional may help explore options to limit how long the record affects you.
In some cases, you can remove an eviction by paying past debts, negotiating with your landlord, or requesting that the court seal the case. A legal professional can advise on the best approach based on your situation.
If you’re currently facing eviction, act quickly. Options include:
- Talking to your landlord about a payment plan
- Seeking rental assistance programs
- Consulting an attorney to explore defenses under state law
Not always. Even if an eviction appears on your record, you can improve your chances by:
- Offering a higher security deposit
- Using a cosigner
- Showing improved credit history
- Providing letters of recommendation from trusted sources
