An eviction doesn’t just mean losing your home. It can follow you for years—affecting your ability to rent again, damaging your credit, and making everything from utility hookups to loan approvals more difficult.
Whether you’re facing eviction now or dealing with one from the past, knowing how long it stays on your record—and what you can do about it—can help you move forward with fewer roadblocks.
This guide breaks down what eviction means for your credit and rental history, how long the effects last, and what to expect if you’ve received a notice.
What Is an Eviction and How It Can Affect You
An eviction is the legal process a landlord uses to remove a tenant from a rental property, typically due to nonpayment of rent or breaking the terms of the lease. It usually involves a court case, a judgment, and an official order to vacate the unit.
But an eviction isn’t just about being asked to leave. It can show up in tenant screening reports, lead to collections on your credit report, and even impact things like utility accounts or mortgage applications.
In short, eviction is both a legal issue and a financial one. It affects your record in ways that can make everyday financial decisions harder—long after you’ve moved out.
How Long an Eviction Stays on Your Record
Evictions can stay on your record for up to seven years, depending on where and how they show up.
- On your credit report: If your landlord sends unpaid rent to a collection agency, it’s treated like any other delinquent debt. That collection account can remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date it was first reported.
- In your rental history: Tenant screening companies keep records of past evictions, judgments, and lease violations for about seven years as well. Even if it doesn’t impact your credit, it can still make it harder to rent another place.
- As a public court record: Even though civil judgments no longer appear on credit reports, the court case itself may still be visible in public records databases used by landlords or background check companies.
How an Eviction Affects Your Credit and Rental History
Evictions can leave a lasting mark on both your credit and your rental history—but they show up in different ways and affect future applications differently. Knowing where they appear and how they impact you can help you focus on what to fix first.
How It Shows Up on Your Credit Report
Evictions don’t appear as “evictions” on your credit report. But if your landlord sends unpaid rent to a collection agency, that debt becomes a collection account—just like an unpaid credit card or utility bill.
Once a collection hits your report, it can lower your score and stay there for up to seven years from the original date of delinquency. Even if you pay it off later, the negative mark doesn’t automatically disappear. It can still make it harder to get approved for new credit, loans, or even certain types of insurance.
How It Affects Your Rental History
Rental history reports are separate from your credit file. They’re used by landlords and property managers to screen potential tenants, and they often include eviction filings, judgments, broken leases, or other issues from your past rental behavior.
Even if your credit score is solid, an eviction in your rental history can block you from getting approved for a new place. Some landlords may be more flexible than others, but many treat any eviction history as a red flag—especially within the past few years.
What to Expect After Receiving an Eviction Notice
If you receive an eviction notice, the next step is usually a court filing. You’ll be served a summons and complaint, typically delivered by a local law enforcement officer.
This paperwork outlines what your landlord is asking for—usually for you to leave the property, and in many cases, to pay back rent and court fees. It also includes the date and location of your hearing.
If you don’t show up to court, your landlord will likely win by default. That means you’ll be legally required to leave and may owe money. In some states, you may be able to avoid eviction altogether by paying the rent and fees at the hearing.
Legal Reasons Landlords Can Evict Tenants
Landlords must have legal grounds to evict a tenant, and those reasons vary slightly by state. However, most fall into a few common categories. Importantly, even if a landlord has a valid reason, they must still follow the proper legal process—usually involving formal notices and a court filing. Skipping that process can make the eviction illegal.
Nonpayment of Rent
This is the most common reason for eviction. If you fall behind on rent, your landlord can issue a “pay or quit” notice, typically giving you a short window—often three to five days—to catch up or leave the property.
Lease Violations
Breaking the terms of your lease can also lead to eviction. This might include having unauthorized roommates or pets, subletting without permission, or violating noise or conduct rules.
Property Damage or Disturbances
If you’re causing damage to the unit or creating a nuisance for neighbors, your landlord may issue an unconditional quit notice. In these cases, you may not have the option to correct the issue before being asked to leave.
No-Cause Evictions (in some states)
In certain states, landlords can evict tenants on a month-to-month lease without stating a specific reason. These “no-cause” evictions still require proper notice—usually 20 to 30 days—and cannot be used in a discriminatory or retaliatory way.
How to Protect Yourself During the Eviction Process
If you’ve received an eviction notice, time matters. Taking action right away gives you more options and better chances of avoiding long-term consequences. Here’s how to respond effectively and protect your rights.
Contact Legal Aid or a Housing Attorney
Legal Aid organizations offer free or low-cost help to tenants who can’t afford private legal representation. They can review your case, help you respond to the notice, and even represent you in court if needed.
Speak With a Tenant Advocacy Group
Tenant advocacy groups work to protect renters and can offer guidance, support, and referrals. Some also provide mediation services to help resolve disputes before they escalate to court.
Look Into Legal Defenses or Errors
Your landlord must follow specific legal steps to evict you. If they skipped a step—like failing to give proper notice or not keeping the unit habitable—you may have a defense. An attorney can help you identify any violations and challenge the eviction in court.
Try Negotiating With Your Landlord
Many landlords are open to compromise, especially if you’ve been a responsible tenant until now. Offer a payment plan, ask for extra time to move, or work out another solution. A negotiated agreement may help you avoid court altogether.
How to Expunge an Eviction From Your Record
In some cases, you may be able to get an eviction removed from public court records through a process called expungement. This can improve your chances of renting in the future—but it’s not available in every situation.
Evictions are sometimes eligible for expungement if the landlord violated eviction laws, the case was dismissed, or a settlement was reached. Some states also allow expungement after a certain period of time has passed.
To expunge an eviction, you’ll typically need to file a petition with the court. This includes providing documentation such as a dismissal notice or settlement agreement. If the court agrees, a hearing will be scheduled, and the judge will decide whether to grant the expungement.
If successful, the eviction will be removed from public records—but this does not automatically erase any related collection accounts from your credit report. Keep a copy of the court order in case the eviction still appears during a background check.
How to Remove Eviction-Related Items From Your Credit Report
Even if your eviction gets expunged, any debts related to it—like unpaid rent or court fees—can still show up on your credit report. These typically appear as collection accounts and can damage your credit for years.
To remove these items, you’ll need to dispute them directly with the credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can file disputes online, by mail, or by phone, but sending a written dispute letter is often the most effective approach.
You can still dispute these items even if the eviction wasn’t expunged. If there are errors—such as the wrong balance or a misreported date—you may be able to get the item corrected or deleted.
If this process feels overwhelming, credit repair companies may be able to help. They specialize in reviewing your reports, identifying issues, and disputing inaccurate or outdated negative items on your behalf.
Ready to Clean Up Your Credit Report?
Learn how credit repair professionals can assist you in disputing inaccuracies on your credit report.
How to Rebuild After an Eviction
Getting evicted can feel like a major setback—but it doesn’t have to define your future. With the right steps, you can rebuild your credit, strengthen your rental history, and get back on track.
Pay Off Any Debts or Collection Accounts
Start by addressing any unpaid balances tied to your eviction. Settling these accounts—especially if they’ve gone to collections—won’t remove them from your credit report immediately, but it can help limit further damage and show responsibility.
Improve On-Time Payment History
Payment history makes up the largest part of your credit score. Pay all your bills—rent, credit cards, utilities—on time going forward. Over time, positive history will help outweigh older negative marks.
Get Positive Rental References
If you’re able to rent again, ask your landlord for a letter of recommendation after a positive experience. These references can go a long way in showing future landlords that you’re a reliable tenant.
Look Into Second-Chance Rentals
Some landlords and property management companies specialize in renting to tenants with past evictions or credit issues. These “second-chance” rentals can give you the fresh start you need while rebuilding your reputation as a tenant.
Final Thoughts
An eviction can leave a mark that lasts for years—but it doesn’t have to follow you forever. Know how it affects your credit and rental history so you can take control and start rebuilding.
Act fast when you get an eviction notice. Know your rights, take legal action if needed, and tackle the damage head-on. If the eviction is already on your record, clean up what you can—pay off debts, challenge errors, and build a stronger history going forward.
With a solid plan and the right help, you can bounce back and get your financial life back on track.
