Getting an apartment with an eviction is harder but not impossible — landlords will see it, but many will rent to you anyway if you show you can pay now

An eviction appears on your rental history and shows up in background checks that most landlords run. Some landlords will reject you outright. Others will rent to you if you can show stable income now, offer a larger deposit, provide a co-signer, or explain what changed since the eviction. The eviction itself does not legally bar you from renting — it is a business decision each landlord makes.

How recent the eviction is matters. A judgment from two years ago carries less weight than one from two months ago. Some landlords have a hard cutoff — they will not rent to anyone with an eviction in the past five years, period. Others look at the reason: evicted for non-payment looks worse than evicted for lease violation. You cannot change the eviction, but you can control what you show landlords about your situation now.

Key Takeaways

  • Landlords see evictions in background checks, but many will still rent to you if you have steady income and can pay a larger deposit or find a co-signer.
  • The reason for the eviction and how long ago it happened both affect whether a landlord will consider you — non-payment looks worse than other violations.
  • You can ask the eviction court to seal the record in some states, which removes it from public view, though this takes time and does not always work.
  • Smaller landlords, buildings with high turnover, and properties in tight rental markets are more likely to overlook an eviction than large management companies.
  • Being honest about the eviction upfront, rather than hoping a landlord does not find it, usually works better than being caught in a lie.

What landlords actually see in a background check

When a landlord runs a background check, they see court records of eviction judgments — the date, the reason (non-payment, lease violation, end of tenancy), and whether you were actually removed or the case was dismissed. They do not see the full story: whether you had a job loss, a medical emergency, or a dispute with the landlord. They see the outcome.

The background check company pulls from public court records, so the eviction is there unless you have had it sealed. Different states and counties keep records for different lengths of time, but most landlords use national screening services that hold onto evictions for seven years or longer. A dismissed eviction case still shows up — it just says "dismissed" instead of "judgment."

Not all landlords run the same check. Large management companies usually use a standardized screening service and explore a strict policy. Private landlords or small companies may run a cheaper check, use a local service, or skip the background check entirely and rely on references. Where you explore matters as much as what is on your record.

How to present yourself when you have an eviction

Do not hide the eviction or hope the landlord does not find it. If they discover it during screening and you did not mention it, they will assume you are dishonest and reject you. If you bring it up first, you control the narrative.

Write a brief, honest explanation in your process or cover letter. Say what happened: "I was evicted in 2022 for non-payment after I lost my job. I have been employed steadily since March 2023 and have paid rent on time for the past 18 months." Do not make excuses or blame the landlord. State the fact, show what changed, and move on. Keep it to two or three sentences.

Back up your story with documents. Provide recent pay stubs, a letter from your current employer confirming your job and salary, and references from people who can vouch for you paying rent on time since the eviction — a previous landlord, a family member you paid rent to, a friend. If you have a co-signer, include their income documentation too.

Using a co-signer or larger deposit

A co-signer is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you do not. It is usually a family member or close friend with good credit and stable income. A co-signer does not erase the eviction from your record, but it tells the landlord that someone else is backing you financially. Many landlords will accept a co-signer when they would otherwise reject an applicant with an eviction.

A larger deposit works the same way: it reduces the landlord's risk. Standard deposits are one month's rent. You might offer two months' rent or more. This is not required by law in most places, but it is a negotiating tool. Some landlords will accept a bigger deposit instead of a co-signer, or in addition to one.

Be clear about what you are offering. In your process, write: "I can provide a co-signer" or "I am prepared to pay a deposit of two months' rent." Do not wait for the landlord to ask. Offering it upfront shows you understand the risk and are serious about the lease.

Where to look: landlords more likely to rent to you

Large management companies and corporate landlords usually have automated screening systems and strict policies. If their rule is "no evictions in the past five years," they will not make exceptions. Smaller landlords — people who own one or two buildings — are more flexible. They can make case-by-case decisions and often care more about whether you can pay now than about your history.

Properties with high turnover or in tight rental markets are also more likely to overlook an eviction. If a landlord has five applicants and all of them have clean records, they will choose one of those. If they have one applicant and a vacant unit losing them money, they may rent to you despite the eviction.

Online listing sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and local rental boards often have private landlords. Apartment.com and Zillow have filters for larger companies. If you are being rejected by big management companies, shift your search to private landlords. You can also ask a local legal aid organization or tenant rights group for a list of landlords known to work with people with evictions.

Sealing or expunging an eviction record

Some states allow you to ask the court to seal an eviction record, which removes it from public view. If the record is sealed, it will not show up in a standard background check. This is different from expungement, which erases the record entirely — most states do not allow expungement of evictions, but sealing is more common.

The rules vary by state and sometimes by county. Some states seal records automatically after a certain amount of time (often three to seven years). Others require you to file a motion with the court. A few states do not allow sealing of eviction records at all. You will need to contact the court that issued the eviction judgment or a local legal aid organization to find out what is possible in your area.

Sealing takes time — usually several weeks to several months — and costs money in court fees, though legal aid can sometimes help. It is worth doing if you plan to rent in the future and the eviction is recent, but it is not a quick fix for an when ready housing search.

What to do if you are rejected

If a landlord rejects you, ask why. They are not required to tell you, but some will. If they say it is because of the eviction, you know that landlord will not work with you. Move on to the next one. If they say it is because of income or credit, you can address those issues — find a co-signer, save for a larger deposit, or improve your credit over time.

Keep a record of where you applied and what feedback you got. After several rejections, you will see a pattern: maybe all the large companies reject you, but private landlords consider you. That tells you where to focus your search.

If you believe you were rejected because of discrimination — because of your race, national origin, disability, family status, or other protected characteristic — that is illegal under the Fair Housing Act. Document the rejection and contact your state or local fair housing agency or a legal aid organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an eviction stay on my record?

Most background check companies report evictions for seven years, though some keep them longer. Court records are public indefinitely, so technically an eviction never fully disappears. After five to seven years, fewer landlords will see it or care about it. Sealing the record removes it from public view sooner, depending on your state's rules.

Will I be rejected everywhere because of an eviction?

No. Large management companies may have strict policies, but private landlords, smaller buildings, and properties in competitive markets often rent to people with evictions. You will face more rejections than someone without an eviction, but you will find options if you search broadly and present yourself honestly.

Should I lie about the eviction on my process?

No. If the landlord discovers the eviction during screening and you lied, they will reject you and may report you to other landlords. Being honest and explaining what changed since then works better. Many landlords will overlook an old eviction if you show you can pay now.

Can a co-signer help me get approved with an eviction?

Yes. A co-signer with good credit and stable income reduces the landlord's risk and often persuades them to rent to you despite the eviction. Make sure your co-signer understands they are legally responsible for the rent if you do not pay.

What if the eviction was not my fault?

Explain it in your process. If you were evicted because the building was sold or the landlord violated the lease, say so. Provide documentation if you have it — a court dismissal, a settlement agreement, or a letter from the previous landlord. A wrongful eviction or one that was dismissed looks better than a judgment against you, but you still need to show the landlord what changed since then.