If you have an eviction on your record, it could be detrimental to your future prospects.
An eviction can be listed on your credit report for seven years and will likely impact your ability to get approved for loans or mortgage applications.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help the process of having your eviction record removed from your credit report.
6 Steps to Help Remove An Eviction
Request deletion from the credit bureau.
Once you've obtained your credit report and located the eviction listing, you must submit an official request for deletion to the appropriate credit bureau.
Experian This will typically involve writing a letter or filling out a form with the necessary information relating to the details of your eviction record.
Be sure to include copies of relevant documents, such as proof of payment or other records that may help prove that the eviction should be removed.
Dispute the eviction in court.
You can have an eviction removed from your credit report by disputing the eviction directly at the court that issued it.
You may find this option quicker and more effective than submitting a dispute to the credit bureaus since court records are more accurate than credit bureau records.
To do this, you'll need to gather all of the relevant documents related to your eviction and take them to the court in question.
You will then explain why you believe that the record should be removed or amended.
Contact the Court and Request a Vacated Judgment.
You can also remove an eviction from your credit report by contacting the court and requesting that they vacate your judgment.
This means that the court agrees to formally dismiss the case and withdraw all previous decisions or judgments made in the case, such as a monetary judgment against you.
If the court grants your request, this will be reflected on your credit report and should help to improve your credit score.
Monitor Your Credit Report Regularly After Your Request Is Submitted.
This is important as the dispute process could be lengthy, and you don’t want any errors or delays in getting the eviction removed from your credit report.
You should check each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at least once every few months to ensure that the eviction is not still on your record.
Experian.com 1-888-397-3742
Equifax.com 1-888-378-4329
Transuion.com 1-833-395-6938
Negotiate with Landlords and Collection Agencies to Remove Old Evictions From Your Record.
If you’re struggling to remove an old eviction from your credit report, consider reaching out to the landlord or collection agency associated with the eviction.
Depending upon their policies and willingness to negotiate, they may be willing to delete the eviction from your record.
This is not guaranteed, however, so be sure to keep your expectations in check before entering into such negotiations.
Pay (or settle) your rental debts.
It is important to work with the property manager or collection agency to pay outstanding balances related to eviction and try to negotiate a settlement or payment plan if needed.
Doing so will help you clear your record more quickly and put yourself in a better position to get approved in the future.
How to rent with an eviction on your record
It can be challenging for tenants with evictions on their records to find rental housing since most landlords will run a background check that includes checking the tenant’s past rental history.
Here are some tips!
Disclose That You've Been Evicted
Before applying for a rental, it’s a good idea for tenants previously evicted to take the initiative to communicate this to potential landlords.
Also, providing written proof of timely rent payments since the eviction can help.
Have Proof of A Steady Income
To prove rental reliability, you can offer pay stubs, bank statements, and any other records you have that showcase your financial stability.
Ask for a reference letter from your employer or manager and call attention to any additional sources of income.
By highlighting your stable employment and financial background, it may be easier for your landlord to overlook an eviction on your credit report.
Get A Roommate
To improve your chances of finding housing despite the eviction on your record, consider co-living arrangements with individuals with good rental histories and credit reports.
Work To Improve Your Credit
Making timely debt payments, maintaining a low debt-to-credit ratio, and focusing on improving your credit history moving forward will help you build a positive credit score.
Some landlords may overlook a past eviction if there is positive information on your report.
Provide Reference Letters
It's possible to have a successful rental application if you can provide a strong character reference from an employer or someone who knows you well; it can help offset the eviction on your record.
Get a Co-Signer
Think about getting a co-signer for your next rental.
Just remember that if payments are not made, both parties may be held responsible, and their credit scores can suffer as a result.
The Impact of an Eviction
Having an eviction on your record can negatively affect your ability to get loans, housing, and other forms of credit in the future.
Additionally, a prior eviction can make employers question a candidate’s trustworthiness when it comes to handling money or other company assets.
Therefore, having an eviction can affect just about every aspect of your life.
Major Take Away
Because they are so hard to remove, it's important to work extra hard not to get one, but life happens to us all.
So, if you fall on hard times and get evicted, it's not the end of the world; you can recover and take steps to remove it or live beyond it.