Does Getting Evicted Hurt Your Credit?

Eviction can hurt your credit score, but not in the way you might think.

The actual eviction itself doesn’t show up on your credit report, but the things that often come with an eviction — like unpaid rent, collections, or even a court judgment —absolutely can.

If you’re dealing with or worried about eviction, it’s important to understand how the process works and what parts of it can follow you financially. Let’s break down how eviction affects your credit, what shows up on your reports, and how you can protect yourself if you’re facing this situation.

What Is an Eviction?

Eviction is the legal process a landlord uses to remove you from a rental property, usually because they believe you’ve broken the terms of your lease. The most common reason is missed rent payments, but you can also be evicted for things like damaging the property, violating community rules, or staying past the end of your lease without permission. Before eviction gets official, landlords typically have to give you a written notice and a chance to fix the issue (like paying what you owe or moving out).

If the problem isn’t resolved, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit in court. If the court rules in their favor, you’ll get a final order to leave the property, often within a few days. While the eviction itself doesn’t go on your credit report, the legal record of it (called a judgment)  can become public and might show up in background checks or tenant screening reports.

And if you owe money, that debt could end up in collections, which does affect your credit.

Does an Eviction Appear on Your Credit Report

Eviction itself, meaning the legal action your landlord takes to remove you from the property, doesn’t show up directly on your credit report. The major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) don’t track eviction filings or outcomes the same way they track things like loan payments or credit card debt. So, if you’re evicted but there’s no money owed or court judgment involved, it may never touch your credit report at all.

However, eviction can indirectly affect your credit if there’s unpaid rent involved. If your landlord sends that unpaid balance to a collections agency, the collection account will show up on your credit report and can hurt your score. The same goes if your landlord sues you in court for the money and wins a civil judgment. That judgment could be picked up in background checks, and in some cases, may appear in public records pulled by certain financial institutions or landlords.

So, while “eviction” isn’t a credit report entry by itself, the financial mess that sometimes comes with it, collections, judgments, and unpaid debts — is very much part of your credit story. That’s why it’s important to deal with any outstanding balances quickly and understand what steps can keep the damage to a minimum.

How Does an Eviction Hurt Your Credit Score

While the eviction itself doesn’t go on your credit report, the financial fallout from it absolutely can and that’s where your credit score can take a real hit. If you leave your rental owing money, your landlord might send that unpaid rent or damage fees to a collection agency. Once that happens, the collection account shows up on your credit report and can seriously lower your score. Even a single collection can cause your credit score to drop by 50-100 points, depending on where your score was to begin with.

It gets worse if the landlord decides to take you to court. If they win the case, the court can issue a civil judgment against you for the money owed. While judgments no longer appear on standard credit reports from the three major bureaus, they can still show up in public records or through tenant screening services. And if the judgment leads to wage garnishment or a lien, that kind of financial strain can make it harder to keep up with other bills, leading to more late payments, which directly affect your credit score.

For example, say you were evicted for missing three months’ rent and your landlord sends a $3,000 balance to collections. That collection gets reported, and suddenly your credit score drops from 680 to 590. Now, you’re in subprime territory, which can make it harder to rent your next place, qualify for a credit card, or get a decent interest rate on a loan. So even though eviction isn’t a “credit event” by itself, the money issues that come with it can ripple through your credit profile for years.

How Long Does an Eviction Stay on Your Record

If your eviction leads to something like a collection account or a court judgment, that information can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. During that time, it can continue to impact your credit score and make it harder to get approved for loans, credit cards, or even new housing. The older the negative mark, the less weight it carries, but it doesn’t disappear overnight.

It’s also important to know that landlords and property managers don’t just look at credit reports when determining whether to lease you housing. They often use tenant screening services, which collect data from court records and past rental histories. An actual eviction filing, even without any collections or credit damage, can stay in those rental databases for seven years. That means you could have a clean credit report but still be flagged as a risky tenant when applying for a new place. The good news? Some landlords are willing to overlook an old eviction if you’ve improved your financial standing since then.

Can You Remove an Eviction from Your Credit Report?

If there’s an eviction-related entry on your credit report — like a collection account or a court judgment — it might be possible to remove it, especially if it’s inaccurate.

Start by pulling your credit reports from all three major bureaus (you can do this for free at AnnualCreditReport.com). Look for any errors, like incorrect amounts, duplicate accounts, or items that shouldn’t be there at all. If you find something wrong, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau to have it investigated and, if appropriate, removed. You might also consider working with a consumer attorney if the issue is more complex or tied to a court judgment.

If the entry is accurate, removal is less likely, but you still have options. Some collection agencies will agree to a “pay-for-delete” arrangement, where they remove the collection from your report in exchange for payment (though this isn’t guaranteed). You can also negotiate a settlement for less than the full amount or set up a payment plan. Once the debt is resolved, it won’t vanish from your credit report, but it will be marked as “paid,” which can soften the impact over time. In cases involving court judgments, it may be possible to vacate the judgment or settle it through legal channels, especially if you were never properly served or there were errors in the process.

How to Minimize the Credit Impact of Eviction

If you’re facing eviction — or have already been through it — the most important thing you can do for your credit is to address any unpaid debts as quickly as possible. Contact your landlord or the collection agency to find out exactly what you owe and try to pay it off in full if you can. The longer a debt goes unpaid, the more damage it does to your credit score. If full payment isn’t realistic, ask about setting up a payment plan or negotiating a lower lump-sum settlement.

Another smart move is to get everything in writing. If you reach an agreement, especially a pay-for-delete deal, make sure the terms are clear before sending any money. Even if the account isn’t deleted, getting it marked as “paid” or “settled” shows future lenders (and landlords) that you took responsibility. You can also consider working with a nonprofit credit counselor. They can help you create a budget, deal with creditors, and sometimes negotiate better terms on your behalf.

Once the dust settles, focus on rebuilding your credit. That means making on-time payments on any remaining bills, keeping credit card balances low, and avoiding new debt. You might also consider tools like a secured credit card or credit-builder loan to help demonstrate positive financial behavior. Over time, these good habits can help push negative marks further into the past and your credit score in the right direction.

Preventing Eviction and Managing Financial Hardship

The best way to protect your credit from the fallout of eviction is to prevent the eviction from happening in the first place. If you’re struggling to pay rent, don’t wait until you’ve missed payments to take action. Reach out to your landlord early. Many property owners would rather work out a solution than go through the hassle and cost of an eviction. You might be able to set up a payment plan, delay part of the rent, or temporarily reduce your payment while you get back on your feet.

There’s also help available if you’re facing a short-term financial crisis. Local and federal housing assistance programs can offer emergency rental aid, utility assistance, or even legal help if you’re at risk of eviction. Organizations like 211.org, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and local housing authorities can connect you with resources based on your income and location. Don’t hesitate to apply. These programs exist to keep people housed and financially stable.

Budgeting is another key piece of the puzzle. Taking a close look at your income and expenses can help you spot problem areas and prioritize essentials like rent, food, and utilities.

If managing money feels overwhelming, a nonprofit credit counselor can help you make a personalized plan that fits your situation. Staying proactive and seeking help early can make a huge difference and might be what keeps a temporary hardship from turning into a long-term credit setback.