If you have an eviction can you still rent in another state? Do evictions follow you from state to state, and how do landlords find out about previous evictions?
Do Evictions Follow You from State To State in 2024?
When you receive a court-ordered eviction, your eviction becomes a public record as soon as it’s filed at your local courthouse.
So how do evictions show up in other states when you apply for rentals?
Your eviction record will be visible on tenant screening background checks when you apply for a new rental.
Background-checking agencies have access to nationwide records, they aren’t limited to looking at information linked to records in the state you’ve just moved to.
When you apply for a rental, you’ll usually be asked to list your previous addresses. The tenant screening agency or the landlord will search for eviction records linked to your name in those states.
Eviction records linked to your name can even be found if you don’t provide accurate address information.
Does Rental History Follow State-State?
Yes, your full rental history for the last 7 years can be reported on tenant background reports. This report will include information from every state you’ve lived in.
If your previous landlords reported rent payment information, any rent past due for 30 days or more will be on your rental history along with eviction and broken lease information.
Simply put, the last 7 years of your rental history follows you around.
Where Do Evictions Show Up?
Evictions show up in the section of your background report that lists civil judgments. Evictions don’t show up on your credit report or in a basic background check that only searches for criminal records.
If you want to know if you’ve got an eviction on your record, you’ll need to order a background check on yourself that includes an eviction or civil judgment search.
Have You Been Evicted Legally?
An eviction has to be processed through the court system and ordered by a judge. Often people mistake the notice to vacate they receive from their landlord for an eviction notice.
A notice to vacate (or a notice to quit) is not an eviction and a notice to vacate will not be reported as an eviction on your background report.
At this stage, you’re being asked to leave without the court being involved. If you comply with the notice and leave by the specified date, your landlord won’t have any reason to go to court for an eviction.
If you’ve already received a summons to appear in court, then your landlord is seeking a court-ordered eviction.
You may be able to get your landlord to file to dismiss the case against you if you agree to move out before the court date and pay any money you owe.
Unpaid Rent May Appear On Your Credit Report
If you skip out on your lease owing rent, your landlord could report your debt to one or more credit bureaus.
How likely is it that your landlord will report your debt?
Small landlords aren’t likely to report your debt to a credit bureau directly. High-volume landlords handling hundreds or thousands of apartments are more likely to have accounts with credit bureaus and report delinquent rent payments.
Small landlords and high-volume landlords can also refer your debt to a collections agency. Collections agencies will report debts to credit bureaus.
Owing rent when you leave your current rental could result in a lower credit score and an adverse entry on your credit report.
Adverse information in your credit report may go against you when you try to rent a new place. A lower credit score may also make you ineligible to rent from landlords who require a minimum credit score.
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- How Long After An Eviction Can I Rent Again?
- Felon Friendly Apartments That Accept Evictions In OKC
- How many days is an eviction notice?
Renting In Another State
If you’ve got an eviction you can still rent in another state as long as you can find a landlord willing to accept your background.
When you’re looking for a rental in an apartment community, you’ll almost certainly need to pass a background check, although some apartment managers offer second-chance rentals.
Landlords with a few rental units or one or two single-family homes might not run background checks, or if they do, they may be prepared to work with you if you provide a higher security deposit, cosigner, or rent guarantor.
Evictions Stay On Your Record for 7 Years
Think very carefully before you decide to risk an eviction. If the court grants the eviction, the eviction record will be visible to every landlord you apply to for the next 7 years.
Qualifying for rentals with an eviction on your record isn’t easy, and you may find yourself paying higher rents for substandard accommodation in undesirable neighborhoods until your record is clear.
The Bottom Line
Your eviction will follow you from state to state for the next 7 years. Unpaid rent could also be a problem if it’s reported to credit bureaus.
If you haven’t been formally evicted yet, do everything you can to set things right with your landlord and avoid the problems an eviction will cause.
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.