Eviction Records
Eviction records are public records that can be obtained from courthouses, through online searches of court records, and through background checks or credit checks. Eviction records generally contain information about an eviction, including the judgment amount. Many landlords check for eviction records before renting to potential tenants, and may decide not to rent to those with previous eviction records due to the risk involved. Evictions usually stay on a person's record for approximately ten years, however laws vary by state. In some cases, it is possible to have eviction records expunged from court records or removed from credit reports with a valid legal reason. Laws vary by state, however eviction records may be able to be removed or sealed if a settlement or agreement was reached with the landlord; eviction records may also be expunged if a tenant won the eviction case or if the landlord's case against the tenant was invalid.
Fast Facts
- A court fee, usually a few hundred dollars depending on the county, must be paid to have an eviction record expunged, though low income persons may request a fee waiver.
- A 1993 study concluded that nearly half of all tenants facing eviction in New York City Housing Court had incomes below $10,000.
- Some studies estimate that as many as half of renters with an eviction record will be evicted again in the future.
