How do landlords check for evictions when you apply for a new rental? Landlords ask for plenty of information on the rental application to make sure you’ll be a good tenant, pay rent on time, and take care of their property.
They’ll run checks to verify the information you provide on your application, and these checks make it easy to find out about undisclosed evictions.
How Do Landlords Check For Evictions in 2024?
Landlords check for evictions in several ways. They can check public court records, speak to your previous landlords, and use a tenant screening agency to run a rental background check that includes a search for evictions.
Tenant Screening Background Checks
For many landlords, running a background check on a prospective tenant is an essential security step. Landlords often use background checking agencies or tenant screening agencies for this purpose.
If your landlord wants to run a background check on you through an agency, they need to let you know about the background check and get your permission. This information and consent will be part of the rental application.
A basic background screen might only include credit report information and a criminal history search. A more thorough background report will also look for evictions.
Public Court Records
An eviction is a civil judgment issued by a court. When a landlord files for an eviction hearing, the filing is public record. Later, when the eviction hearing has concluded, the eviction order is also public record.
Eviction orders are reported at the local, county, and state levels.
Landlords carrying out their own background checks can search court records to find eviction filings and eviction orders. With many courts allowing electronic access to their records, it only takes landlords a few minutes to check for evictions.
Landlord References
Landlords might contact previous landlords listed on your rental application to find out what kind of tenant you were.
In addition to the addresses you list on your application, background checks reveal previous addresses linked to your name and social security number, so you can’t hide addresses where you had an eviction.
Notice To Quit Or Eviction What’s The Difference?
An eviction is not the same as a notice to quit or vacate.
When you break the terms of your lease and fail to remedy the situation, your landlord will issue a notice to quit. At this stage, the broken lease is a private matter between you and your landlord. It isn’t an official eviction as long as you vacate the property by the move-out date on the notice.
An eviction is a legal process involving an eviction hearing at your local court. Court-ordered evictions are public record, and it’s these records landlords look for when they search for evictions.
A landlord will only find out if you moved out after a notice to quit if they talk to your previous landlord.
Evictions Don’t Show On Credit Reports
Your credit report won’t show your eviction, but it may show any debt related to your eviction.
Large apartment communities and property management companies often report rent payments to credit bureaus, so unpaid rent will be marked on your report.
Unpaid rent and other eviction-related debts turned over to a debt collection agency will typically be reported to credit bureaus.
Debt reported to credit bureaus will in turn lower your credit score which will disqualify you from rentals that specify a minimum credit score.
If you’ve paid the money you owe, contact the credit reporting bureaus and ask them to remove the record.
The 3 credit bureaus in the United States are:
- TransUnion
- Experian
- Equifax
You have the right to get a free credit report from each of the credit bureaus. Request your reports from the official site partnered with TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action.
How To Explain An Eviction To A New Landlord
Be honest on your application and provide any additional details requested.
Attach a letter to your application. The application form won’t give you much room to explain the circumstances surrounding your eviction, while a letter allows you to tell your side of the story.
Your letter should explain why the circumstances that led to your eviction no longer apply and the steps you’ve taken to ensure you won’t face eviction again.
Include one or two references the landlord can contact to receive a character reference on you.
If your eviction was due to unpaid rent which you’ve now paid, make sure you mention that fact and provide proof the debt has been taken care of.
Arranging a guarantor can reassure a landlord they won’t face a battle to collect rent from you. If a friend or relative is willing to act as a guarantor for your rent, include their name and contact information in your letter.
If you aren’t sure how to write your explanation. Just search online for “template letter for how to explain an eviction to a new landlord”.
Tips For Renting After An Eviction
- Apply for rentals owned by small private landlords
- Look for second-chance rentals
- Pay extra rent in advance and offer a larger security deposit
- Find a rent guarantor
- Settle any debt owed to your previous landlord
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Alex Graham is a co-founder and manages high-quality content that helps once evicted/ex-felons find a place to call. home. Alex believes even if he can help one person return to a good, wholesome life it is well worth the effort.