How Do Evictions Get Recorded on People's Credit Reports?

Being evicted can have a prolonged impact on your finances, but understanding how the eviction affects your credit report and score is the first step to getting them under control. Fortunately, your eviction won't permanently scar your credit. By paying your bills on time and avoiding other judgment or collections actions, you can begin to repair your credit and improve your financial situation.

If you're worried that your eviction will cause your credit score to plunge, you can breathe easy. Your eviction won't show up on your credit report, and it won't affect your credit score. However, if your former landlord sold your debt to a collection agency or sued you and obtained a judgement for unpaid rent, this will appear on your credit report.

If you were evicted for not paying your rent, and your landlord was awarded a judgment against you in court, the judgment will appear on your credit report as a matter of public record. This will have a negative impact on your credit score, but the negative impact won't last forever. Judgments stay on your credit report for seven years.

If your former landlord hired a collections agency to pursue you for your unpaid rent, this will appear on your credit report and adversely affect your credit score. The more recent the collections activity, the more your credit score will suffer. Collections activity stays on your credit report for seven years.

Even though your eviction won't show up on your credit report, that doesn't mean it won't negatively impact your ability to rent another home. Landlords check more than your credit when deciding whether to offer you a lease. They typically also require a list of your former landlords with contact information. Because a potential landlord is likely to find out if you've been evicted, don't try to hide it. Be upfront about the eviction and why it happened, and be prepared to show a prospective landlord that your situation has changed and that you will be a good tenant. A credit report with on-time payments and no judgments or collections after the eviction can help you secure a new lease.