How Long Do Evictions Stay on Record?

An eviction record is the official record of a landlord’s legal action to remove a tenant. Once filed, it becomes part of the public court record.

The entire legal process, from the initial filing to the judge’s final ruling becomes part of the public record. If the landlord wins, the court may also issue a monetary judgment for unpaid rent or damages. This entire case history is what follows a tenant.

But where does this information actually show up? Many people are confused about the difference between a credit report and a tenant screening report.

Key Point: Eviction filings are public records that appear in tenant screening reports, not standard credit reports.

Tenant Screening Reports vs. Credit Reports

Landlords use specialized tenant screening reports (or background checks), not standard credit reports. These are comprehensive documents built specifically for the rental industry, pulling data from multiple sources.

• Court and eviction filings
• Credit bureau data
• Criminal background checks
• Employment and income verification
• Public records (bankruptcies, judgments)

How Unpaid Rent Affects Your Credit

Unpaid rent sent to a collection agency appears on your credit report and can lower your score by 50–100 points.

How Long Do Evictions Stay on Your Record?

Evictions stay on your tenant screening report for seven years under the FCRA. This applies whether the case was lost, settled, or dismissed.

Timeline Comparison

State-Specific Laws That Override the 7-Year Rule

While the FCRA provides a federal baseline, some states add stricter tenant protections.
In Maryland and Baltimore, landlords should pay close attention to local eviction-sealing laws.

Sealing vs. Expungement

Tenants can request:

• Sealing: Record exists but is hidden from public databases.

• Expungement: Record is erased as if it never happened.

Courts may approve these requests if:

• The case was dismissed or won by the tenant

• The tenant paid debts or fulfilled obligations

• A certain number of years have passed without further issues

Local Restrictions on Eviction Use

More states are adopting “fair housing” rules that:

• Ban denial based solely on filed (but unresolved) evictions

• Limit lookback periods (often 3–5 years)

• Delay when landlords can inquire about eviction history

  ✅ Tip: Always stay updated on Maryland and Baltimore City housing laws to ensure compliance.

How to Remove an Eviction from Your Record

1. Dispute Inaccurate Information

Roughly 22% of eviction reports contain errors such as:

• Duplicate records

• Incorrect outcomes

• Mistaken identity

Under the FCRA, you can file a dispute with the tenant screening company. They must investigate and delete unverifiable data.

2. Petition for Sealing or Expungement

File a motion in court if:

• The eviction was dismissed or filed in error

• Debts are paid in full

• You’ve maintained a clean record since

3. Negotiate with Your Landlord

While this won’t delete court filings, it can improve your standing:

• Move-Out Agreement: Leave voluntarily; landlord dismisses case.

• Satisfaction of Judgment: After repayment, landlord files proof the debt is satisfied.

Screening Tenants with Evictions: Landlord Tips

Evictions signal risk, but an automatic rejection can violate fair housing laws. Evaluate applicants holistically.

How Tenants Overcome Past Evictions

Strong applicants may present:

• Honest explanations with documentation

• Proof of steady employment and income

• Larger deposits or prepaid rent (within legal limits)

• References from recent landlords

• A creditworthy cosigner

“Independent landlords can often evaluate context more fairly than automated corporate systems.”

Making a Risk-Informed Decision

When evaluating an applicant:

• How old is the eviction?

• What was the cause (non-payment, roommate conflict, lease issue)?

• Has the tenant rebuilt credit or maintained employment?

• Does their income meet 3x rent or similar standards?

Preventing Evictions: Best Practices for Landlords

Eviction is costly, time-consuming, and best avoided altogether. Prevention starts with communication and documentation.

Early Intervention

• Reach Out Promptly: A check-in on day one of missed rent can resolve misunderstandings early.

• Offer Payment Plans: Support tenants with short-term hardship.

• Try Mediation: Use local housing mediators to resolve disputes.

• Consider Cash-for-Keys: Offering a small sum for voluntary move-out is often cheaper than formal eviction.

Legal Compliance

Follow local rules precisely:

• Serve written notices using correct legal templates.

• Respect timelines and waiting periods.

• File documents accurately and completely.

Keep thorough records of all communications, payments, and notices, it’s your best legal protection.

Conclusion

Eviction records can affect tenants for up to seven years, but laws, accuracy, and court remedies can shorten that window.
For landlords, responsible screening, not automatic rejection, leads to better outcomes.
For tenants, disputing errors, sealing records, and rebuilding credit are the best paths forward.

Baltimore property owners: Ensure compliant, effective tenant screening by partnering with Ineedtenants.com — experts in FCRA-compliant, Maryland-specific property management.

FAQs

Do evictions show up on credit reports?

No. Only collections from unpaid rent appear on credit reports, not eviction filings.

Can I rent with an eviction on my record?

Yes. Provide proof of income, strong references, and possibly a cosigner.

How much does an eviction affect credit?

Collections related to evictions can reduce credit scores by 50–100 points.

Can I remove an eviction early?

Yes. Dispute errors, file for expungement, or negotiate a judgment satisfaction.

What do landlords see on background checks?

Eviction history, credit data, criminal records, employment verification, and rental history.

How can Baltimore landlords stay compliant?

Use FCRA-compliant reports, apply consistent criteria, and stay informed on Maryland laws.