How to Rent with an Eviction on Your Record


Did you know that there are nearly 1.5 million eviction rulings in the United States each year, according to research from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab? If you’re part of that 1.5 million, you may be wondering how you can even rent with an eviction on your record, how long do evictions stay on your record, and how can you find apartments with eviction forgiveness?

We answer these questions and more, including tips for winning landlords over so you can find your next rental home, regardless if you’ve been previously evicted.

What is an eviction?

An eviction is when a landlord forces a tenant to leave a property. Tenants can be evicted for violating terms in their lease, such as failing to pay rent on time, staying in the building past the end date of their lease, or having a pet when the building doesn’t allow renting with pets. Or, you may be evicted because the building needs to undergo lead removal or another procedure which requires tenants to move out.

How to find out if you have an eviction on your record

Because evictions are legal proceedings, evictions go on your legal record. They also show up on your rental history report and your background check. To see if you have an eviction notice, you can request a copy of your rental history report from a reputable credit reporting agency. Or, you can run a background check on yourself for any signs of poor rental history.

If you have a prior eviction on your record, don’t worry. There are still ways you can find your next rental home.

11 Ways to get an apartment with an eviction on your record

There are many steps you can take to increase your chances of getting an apartment with an eviction on your record.

1. Try to get the eviction removed from your record

The first thing you should try if you have an eviction on your record is to have it removed. This will make it much easier to rent future apartments or homes, regardless if you’re wanting to rent an apartment in Cordova, TN, or a