There's never an easy situation surrounding an eviction from your home. Whether it's a disagreement with your landlord or a situation that's out of your control, it can become a dark cloud that follows you within your rental history. You're left wondering, how to get an apartment with an eviction?
Whether you’re looking to get back on your feet with an apartment in Chicago or a house in Miami, we have everything you need to know about how to get a rental with an eviction on your record.
Regardless of why you get evicted, that blemish on your rental history can make finding your next apartment challenging. If you're wondering whether an eviction appears on your record, there are a few steps you can take to find out.
One of the most straightforward methods is checking your credit report. Evictions are often reported to the major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and can negatively impact your credit score. You can request a free credit report from each of these agencies once a year through AnnualCreditReport.com. Look specifically for any public records section or negative rental history that might indicate an eviction. If you spot anything inaccurate or questionable, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau to correct the information.
Another way to verify if you have an eviction on your record is by reaching out to your previous landlords. Sometimes, landlords report evictions to tenant screening services or maintain their own records, which may not always show up on credit reports. Contacting them directly can give you insight into what they might disclose to future landlords when conducting a background check.
Consider using an online tenant screening tool to check if your eviction appears in any rental databases. These services compile information from public records, credit bureaus, and eviction databases, showing you what landlords might see. While you may need to pay a small fee, these reports are straightforward: enter your details, and the tool will provide a report on any evictions, credit issues, or criminal history. This allows you to address any negative information in advance, and if you find inaccuracies, you can resolve them before applying.
Because an eviction can show up on your credit report or in a background check, there's no point in believing you can hide it from someone who's looking. If you're interested in an apartment that runs a rental history report, that property manager will find out about the situation whether you tell them or not. It's best to embrace your past and meet it head-on when applying for your next apartment.
Going into an interview with a known eviction creates certain preconceived notions about you, which you can quickly counteract by making the right first impression. Combat them by treating the meeting like a job interview.
The saying goes, you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. This applies to getting an apartment, too. Present yourself as the ideal tenant, not one living under the shadow of an eviction.
If your credit took a hit after your eviction, or because of it, begin rebuilding. Pay bills on time and cut down on any outstanding debt. This attention to your financial situation can put you in a better position for your next apartment by raising your credit score.
It's also a good idea to check your credit score before filling out your next rental application. This prevents you from having any surprises to deal with if the property manager runs a report and your score isn't as high as you'd thought.
You'll also need to manage the debt of any outstanding rent. Once you pay that off, contact your previous property manager to discuss the possibility of removing the eviction from your credit report. Not only will this clear your record, but it will also improve your credit score.
The property owner can also submit a letter of intent to drop the eviction for you to use as evidence with your next rental application, since it can sometimes take a while for this change to get made.
References should establish your quality of character since, with an eviction, there's a quick assumption that you did something wrong. Get references from past employers, colleagues, friends, and family who can speak to your character and the type of tenant you'll be. Ask your references before you list them to ensure they give you a good review if contacted.
You can also ask two to three of your best references to write a letter to submit with your rental application. Getting your employer to write a letter can do double-duty, showing that you're gainfully employed and a responsible tenant. Having a past roommate write another can illustrate what you're really like as a tenant from their first-hand experience living with you.
Don't shy away from being flexible with a property manager who's hesitant to rent to you because of your eviction. Show them your willingness to make this situation more comfortable by giving them some added security if you get to lease the apartment.
Each of these extra levels of security can help assuage a property manager's fears that you'll default on paying rent.
The truth is always the best option, whether it makes you look better or worse. Your prospective property manager will appreciate your willingness to approach the eviction with honesty. Don't shy away from explaining why the eviction happened.
When speaking to a potential landlord, highlight your current financial stability, improved habits, and commitment to being a responsible tenant. This will shift the focus from your past mistakes to your current qualifications. Landlords appreciate transparency and a renter’s willingness to take responsibility. In addition to submitting a well-rounded application with positive references and evidence of paying off any outstanding rental debts, showing a strong sense of financial responsibility can help offset concerns about your previous eviction.
“A landlord may be willing to rent an apartment to you if you can show that the circumstance was a one-time incident beyond your control," writes Karina C. Hernandez from Sapling.
Once the property manager understands your situation, you may get accepted based on circumstances not being your fault or being related to a situation, such as COVID, that has impacted us all.
Starting from scratch and rebuilding credit damaged by an eviction can take a lot of time. However, it resets you completely to go about renting apartments without hiccups.
While this may become a multi-year process, working with a non-profit credit repair agency can keep you on track. Best to use as a final option, because of the time, but when you're all done, it's like the eviction was never on your credit in the first place.
If you move a lot or are trying to put the circumstances that led to your eviction behind you, this option may work the best in the long run.
A co-signer or guarantor with strong financial stability can offer the landlord reassurance that rent will be paid on time, even if you have faced financial difficulties. A cosigner essentially shares the financial responsibility of the lease agreement, making it more likely that landlords will overlook the eviction if they feel confident that payments are guaranteed.
This strategy can be especially helpful if you are rebuilding your credit or finances after an eviction. Landlords tend to favor applicants with a responsible financial backer, as it demonstrates a commitment to being a responsible renter.
There's no category of apartments called, "accepts evictions," for people to search. More lenient property owners are out there but can be hard to find. One thing to check for is whether they require a tenant background check to rent.
Independent landlords, especially those renting out smaller units like a guest house or half a duplex, may be more open to considering individual circumstances rather than solely focusing on your eviction history. In these cases, you may need to offer higher monthly rent or a larger security deposit to offset the perceived risk to landlords.
Another potential housing arrangement for those with an eviction is renting a room or exploring shared housing options with roommates. These setups might involve renting a portion of a home or townhome, and agreements can sometimes be more informal, offering a workaround to strict credit and background checks. Roommates may also be more focused on compatibility and sharing living expenses rather than someone's rental history.
Another strategy is to use an apartment locator or rental brokerage service that works with tenants with a prior eviction. They can help you take the stress out of the apartment search by showing you listings that fit your situation.
Tip: Check local tenant rights laws in your area; they may protect individuals from certain forms of housing discrimination, even with an eviction on record.
If you're facing an eviction or already have one on your record, there are several steps you can take to try to get it removed from your record.
The process is similar if you discover that your eviction record is incorrect or outdated. The first step is to gather any documentation that proves the error, such as court records, correspondence with your landlord, or payment receipts. Next, you should contact the agency or service that reported the eviction, whether it's a credit bureau or tenant screening service, and file a formal dispute. Credit reporting agencies are required by law to investigate disputes and correct any inaccuracies within 30 days.
You may also want to reach out directly to your previous landlord if they provided incorrect information and request that they update their records. If you're struggling to resolve the issue on your own, consider reaching out to a tenant advocacy organization for legal advice and additional support in disputing the inaccurate information. Taking these steps can help remove inaccuracies on your record and improve your chances of securing future rentals.
An eviction can feel like you're going to stall in the ability to rent an apartment, but that isn't always the case. With the right approach to your next rental opportunity, and a little extra work preparing to go through the rental application process, you may end up in an apartment you never thought would accept you.
Rebecca Green is the Manager of Content and Product for Rent. Originally from Atlanta, she is passionate about interior design and affordable housing. When she's not writing for Redfin and Rent. you can find her exploring Portland and the Oregon Coast with her dog.