How long does an eviction stay on your record?

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a screening company generally can't report a civil suit or civil judgment, which includes an eviction case, once it is more than 7 years old. The statute counts the 7 years "from date of entry," and if the governing statute of limitations runs longer than 7 years, the longer period applies.^1,2

The FTC tells renters that most civil lawsuits and judgments, including housing court cases, can't be included in a report after seven years, and its dispute page says eviction cases can be reported for up to 7 years from the eviction filing date (see below). The same section of the law sets 7-year limits for accounts placed for collection and for other adverse items other than records of convictions, and 10 years for bankruptcies. It lists a few exceptions (a credit deal of $150,000 or more, a life insurance policy of $150,000 or more, or a job paying $75,000 or more a year); renting a home is not on that list.

The 7-year limit controls what a screening company may report. It does not erase the court's own file: court records are generally open to the public unless a law or a court order seals, shields or expunges them.^3,4

Maryland's courts say court records are generally open to the public, and its online Case Search lets anyone look up a summary of a case. Utah's courts say the record of a lawsuit is generally a permanent public record, but records of some eviction cases can be expunged, which seals them and treats the case as if it never happened. Check your own state court's website for how long it keeps eviction files and who can look them up.

How long an eviction case stays visible depends on your state, how the case ended and whether the record was sealed. Some states hide or seal eviction cases automatically, some only after a set wait, and some only if you ask the court.^3,5,6

In several of the states listed below, a case that was dismissed or that the tenant won is treated more gently than one where the landlord won a judgment. The state-by-state section shows what each law says, who qualifies and how long you may have to wait.

A tenant screening report can include housing court records such as eviction actions. The FTC says an eviction court case can be reported for up to 7 years from the date of the eviction filing, even if you are not evicted.^2,7,8

The statute's own words are "from date of entry"; this FTC page applies the limit to eviction cases counted from the filing date. A filing is the landlord starting the case. A judgment is the court's decision. The CFPB lists rental history, including any eviction actions and lawsuits, among the things a screening report may contain. Because a filing alone can be reported, it helps to check what your own report says about how each case ended.

A case you won, or that was dismissed, settled or paid, can still appear on a report as a filing. The FTC lists incomplete information about how an eviction action was resolved as a common error in screening reports.^2,9

The CFPB's November 2022 report, based on complaints to the CFPB and research it commissioned, described eviction actions reported with little or no information on how they were resolved, even when the case never went to court, the debt was paid on time, the parties settled or the ruling was vacated. It also said the experiences of most applicants who ran into these problems indicate that an eviction record, regardless of its accuracy or outcome, has a high likelihood of leading to an outright denial. If your report leaves out an outcome, you may dispute it with the screening company and send the court paperwork that shows how the case ended.

The FTC lists common report errors: information that belongs to someone else, duplicate entries, outdated records, and eviction or criminal records that were sealed or expunged. Sealed or expunged records should not show up in a report.^2,10,11

In October 2023 the FTC and the CFPB filed a complaint and a stipulated order in federal court in Colorado against TransUnion and a subsidiary, TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions. The agencies alleged that the companies reported developments in one eviction case as separate events, reported a filing without reporting that the case was dismissed, and failed to keep sealed eviction records out of reports. These were the agencies' allegations, not findings by the court. The court entered the order on October 18, 2023. It requires $11 million in consumer redress and a $4 million civil penalty, and procedures to keep sealed records, unresolved eviction cases and multiple filings for one case out of reports.

In January 2024 the CFPB issued an advisory opinion saying screening companies need procedures to avoid duplicate records, to include case outcomes, and to leave out sealed or expunged records. The CFPB withdrew that opinion, along with other guidance, as of May 12, 2025, so it is no longer CFPB guidance.^12,13

The withdrawal notice lists "Fair Credit Reporting; Background Screening" (89 FR 4171), the 2021 name-only matching opinion and Circular 2022-07 on reasonable investigation of consumer reporting disputes. Withdrawing guidance did not change the FCRA itself. The 7-year limits and your dispute rights come from the statute, and the FTC's tenant screening pages still describe sealed records, duplicates and missing outcomes as errors to dispute. The CFPB's 2022 tenant background check report is a report on complaints and research, not a rule.

If a landlord turns you down, or approves you only with a cosigner, bigger deposit or higher rent, because of something in a screening report, it must tell you. The notice names the screening company and says you may get a free copy of your report if you ask within 60 days, and that you may dispute errors.^2,8,14

The notice can be given in writing, electronically or orally. If it's oral, the FTC suggests asking for a written copy. The landlord must also say the screening company did not make the decision. Local law may give you more rights.

You may dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with the screening company, and it must investigate for free. It generally has 30 days from getting your dispute, and the FCRA allows up to 15 more days if you send relevant information during that time.^7,15

The FTC says the company must delete or correct information it finds inaccurate, incomplete or can't confirm. Send copies of court papers that show how your case ended, and tell the landlord about the dispute. If the company corrects your report, ask it to send the updated report to the landlord. If the investigation doesn't settle it, you may ask for a statement of your dispute to be added to your file.

Arizona

In Arizona, the court must seal all records of an eviction case when it dismisses the case before judgment or enters judgment for the tenant. It must also seal the case if the landlord and tenant file a written stipulation to set aside the eviction order and seal the file.^16,17,18

This is automatic for dismissals and tenant wins; no waiting period is listed. A sealed file can go only to the person whose records are sealed, parties and their attorneys, the court and the clerk, and it can't be sold or released in a bulk or individual records transfer to a third party. The law (Laws 2022, ch. 286) took effect September 24, 2022, Arizona's general effective date for that session, and applies to cases dismissed or decided for the tenant on or after that date. The section provides no sealing when the landlord wins a judgment, apart from the written-stipulation route.

California

In California, an eviction (unlawful detainer) case file is limited to the parties and certain other people, and it opens to the public only in cases the landlord wins. This is automatic; the tenant doesn't have to file anything.¹⁹

Under Code of Civil Procedure 1161.2, the clerk lets someone see the file if they are a party, give the names of at least one plaintiff and one defendant plus the address of the unit, are a resident of the unit with proof, or have a court order. The file opens to anyone if the landlord gets judgment within 60 days of filing (access starts 60 days after filing), and by court order if the landlord wins after a trial. The section lists no other route to public access in cases the landlord doesn't win, apart from a court order on good cause. For nonpayment-of-rent cases filed between March 4, 2020 and September 30, 2021, those two routes to public access after a landlord win do not apply. The section was last amended effective January 1, 2025 (AB 2304).

Colorado

In Colorado, court records of an eviction case are automatically suppressed (hidden from the public) as soon as the case starts. They become public only if the court orders possession for the landlord, unless both sides agree the record stays suppressed.^20,21,22,23

A suppressed record is open only to judges, court staff, the parties and their attorneys, authorized Judicial Department staff, and people with a court order. A 2022 change also lets some attorneys, with a party's permission, see a suppressed record to give legal advice or to prepare for mediation. The court may not publish the parties' names online. The law took effect December 1, 2020 and applies to actions that began on or after that date. Colorado's court summons form for evictions tells defendants the same thing. A 2026 bill that would have kept more of these records suppressed (HB26-1047) did not pass.

Delaware

Since January 29, 2026, a Delaware defendant in an eviction case may ask the court to shield the record, and the court must grant the request if the case fits any of the listed situations. Shielding is not automatic, and the court may not charge a filing fee for the motion.^24,25

The court must grant the motion if the landlord withdrew the complaint, the court dismissed it, the final judgment was for the defendant, the parties agreed to shielding, or the parties settled by a stipulated agreement and the defendant followed it. It must also grant it if a judgment on the merits, a default judgment or a stipulated judgment was entered at least 5 years ago, the defendant paid any money award, and the defendant has had no other similar judgments in the 5 years before the motion. It must also grant the motion if it finds that shielding is clearly in the interests of justice. After shielding, any judgment is set aside, the case is treated as not filed, and the court has 45 days to remove it from its public records. An earlier version of the bill would have shielded some records automatically; the version signed into law did not.

District of Columbia

In Washington, D.C., the Superior Court must seal eviction court records on its own: 30 days after the case ends if the housing provider did not get a judgment for possession, or 3 years after the case ends if it did. A tenant can also ask the court at any time to seal records on listed grounds.⁵

The listed grounds for a tenant's motion include a case brought over $600 or less, an eviction from a housing-subsidy program unit, an eviction filed in violation of certain D.C. laws, a settlement in which the housing provider did not recover the unit, or other grounds the court finds justify sealing. A housing provider that intentionally denies an application, or approves it on worse terms, based on a record it knows is sealed can be sued within one year. The section was added by D.C. Law 24-115 (2022).

Illinois

Illinois courts must seal certain eviction case files: certain cases against tenants or occupants of property in foreclosure, and cases dismissed because a minor was named as a defendant. A court may also seal a file if the landlord's case was sufficiently without a basis in fact or law and sealing is clearly in the interests of justice.^26,27,28,29

Section 9-121 has been operative since August 1, 2022. Public Act 104-317, effective January 1, 2026, added the minor rule: a complaint that names a minor as a defendant must be dismissed against all defendants, and the case must be sealed immediately. The foreclosure rule covers cases under section 9-207.5 (ending a bona fide lease in property in foreclosure) and section 15-1701(h)(6) (an occupant who would have lawful possession but for the foreclosure). For other cases, sealing is up to the judge, and the court weighs the public's interest in knowing about the record. The statute sets no waiting period.

Indiana

In Indiana, if an eviction case is dismissed, the tenant wins, or a judgment against the tenant is overturned or vacated on appeal, the court must on its own order the records not to be disclosed. If a judgment was entered against the tenant, the tenant may ask for that order once a money judgment is satisfied, or after 7 years if there was no money judgment.^30,31,32

The 2025 changes took effect July 1, 2025, and build on Indiana's 2022 law (P.L. 164-2022). The court can issue the order without a hearing in some cases. People whose cases ended earlier may file a verified petition that includes a sworn statement that no money judgment is still owed to the landlord. The court directs the clerk to redact or permanently seal its records of the case, and records may still go to people with a court order and to law enforcement for authorized activity. If an order is entered under the dismissal-or-tenant-win rule, a money judgment for costs does not become a lien on real estate or personal property. In March 2026 the Indiana Court of Appeals held that a trial court had to seal a case the landlord dismissed after the tenant paid the rent owed.

Maryland

In Maryland, the District Court must shield all records of a failure-to-pay-rent case within 60 days after the case ends if it did not result in a judgment of possession. If it did, the tenant may ask the court to shield the records. This applies to cases started on or after October 1, 2024.^3,33,34

For a case that ended in a judgment of possession, the court may shield the records if the tenant shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they used the right of redemption (paying what was owed) and at least 12 months have passed since the final resolution, or if the court finds good cause. If the court grants the motion, it must seal the records within 30 days. If the tenant raised a rent escrow defense and a judgment for possession was entered, the court may shield only the records related to that judgment. Shielded records open only on the tenant's written request or by court order for good cause. This law does not reach cases started before October 1, 2024. Separately, the Maryland courts say a tenant whose failure-to-pay-rent case was filed on or after March 5, 2020 and before January 1, 2022, and whose ability to pay rent was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, may ask to shield it using form DC-CV-116.

Massachusetts

Since May 5, 2025, Massachusetts tenants may petition the court to seal an eviction record; it is not automatic. The wait depends on the type of case: any time after a no-fault eviction, a dismissal or a win for the tenant ends; for a nonpayment eviction, once the judgment or agreement is satisfied, or after 4 years if economic hardship left you unable to pay it; and 7 years for a fault eviction.^6,35,36

A case that was dismissed or ended with a final judgment for the tenant can be sealed at any time after it ends, including all appeals. In a case solely for nonpayment of rent, the party who got the judgment or agreement must file a notice of satisfaction within 14 days after it is paid (or you may ask the court to deem it satisfied); you may then petition, and the court must seal the record if the case is over and no party objects within 7 days. If you could not pay, the 4-year route requires that the case ended at least 4 years before the petition, that no other nonpayment eviction action or "lessor action" (a term the law defines) was brought against you in Massachusetts in those 4 years, and that you certify the nonpayment was due to economic hardship that left you unable to satisfy the judgment. For a fault eviction, the wait is 7 years with no other fault eviction action or lessor action brought against you in that time. A judgment in a case under chapter 139, section 19 (which lets a landlord void a lease over certain illegal use of the premises, such as drug or weapons activity) also has a 7-year wait, requires no conviction in that time for an offense that section covers, and goes to a hearing on whether sealing is in the interest of justice and public safety. A screening company must remove a sealed record from its reports within 30 days of the sealing. Once a record is sealed, the Attorney General says you may answer "no record" on Massachusetts housing and credit applications that ask about evictions, if you have sealed all prior eviction records.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, the court must expunge an eviction case without a motion if the tenant won, the complaint was dismissed, the parties agreed to expungement, or 3 years have passed since the eviction was ordered. Expungement removes evidence of the court file's existence from public records.^37,38

On the tenant's motion, the court must also expunge a case that settled if the tenant fulfills the settlement, and a case filed in violation of section 504B.285, subdivision 1, paragraph (b). Also on the tenant's motion, the court must expunge a case brought for a breach of the lease, including a drug- or crime-related breach under section 504B.171, no matter when the eviction was ordered, if the breach was based only on possessing marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols or the tenant could receive an automatic expungement under section 609A.055. Certain cases tied to a mortgage foreclosure or contract for deed cancellation are also expunged without a motion. Separately, a court may expunge a case when that is clearly in the interests of justice and not outweighed by the public's interest in knowing about the record. Section 504B.345 also requires expungement when a court or jury finds for the tenant, and lets either party move to vacate a judgment.

Nevada

In Nevada, a summary eviction case file is sealed automatically when the court dismisses the case, 10 judicial days after the court denies the eviction, or 31 days after a tenant's affidavit if the landlord doesn't file an affidavit of complaint within 30 days. A court may also seal a case if both sides stipulate or the tenant asks and the court finds good reason.³⁹

On a tenant's motion, the court may seal if the eviction should be set aside under Justice Court Rule 60, or if sealing is in the interests of justice and not outweighed by the public's interest, after weighing factors such as circumstances beyond the tenant's control and the time since the order of eviction. If a file is sealed, the proceedings are deemed never to have occurred. Between March 12, 2020 and May 20, 2022, the law also sealed files automatically when the court granted a summary eviction during the COVID-19 emergency.

New York

New York seals the court records of a tenant who is removed in a summary eviction proceeding from property that was the subject of a foreclosure (including a tax foreclosure), and it bars use or disclosure of that information. The section covers only that situation.^40,41

The current text of section 757 dates from June 28, 2019, and it does not list a waiting period or a fine. A 2025 bill (A6412) to add fines of $1,000 to $2,000 for violating it was still in the Assembly Judiciary Committee as of October 2026, so it is not law. If your eviction was not tied to a foreclosure, ask the court clerk or a legal aid office what your options are.

Oregon

In Oregon, courts must set aside and seal certain eviction cases every year on their own, and a tenant can also ask by motion. A case the landlord won is covered after 5 years if no money award remains (it was satisfied, discharged or expired); a dismissal or win for the tenant is covered after 12 months.^42,43

The annual rule is ORS 105.164. By motion under ORS 105.163, a tenant may ask the court to set aside and seal: a judgment of restitution against them, once any money award is satisfied and 5 years have passed (or the claim arose from April 1, 2020 through February 28, 2022); a stipulated judgment they followed and paid; or a dismissal or judgment in their favor. The court may not charge a filing fee. After a set-aside, the judgment is treated as not entered and you may answer questions about it accordingly. A 2021 amendment, operative January 2, 2028, removes the pandemic-era alternative to the 5-year wait.

Utah

In Utah, the court expunges an eviction case on its own if the case was filed on or after July 1, 2022 and either the whole case was dismissed, no appeal is pending and 3 years have passed since filing, or the parties filed a stipulation to expunge. For any eviction case, including older ones, you may petition if the case was for nonpayment or staying past the lease end and any judgment has been satisfied.^4,44,45,46

After you file a petition and serve the other parties, any party (usually the landlord) may file a written objection, and if one is filed the court may not expunge. If no objection is filed within 60 days, the statute says the court orders expungement. Once a case is expunged, it's treated as if it never happened, and tenant screening companies must remove it and may not report it or use it in a score. The courts post a list of expunged case numbers, and agencies and screening companies must remove those records within 30 days of the listing. A 2026 bill (S.B. 215) would have shortened the 3-year wait, but it did not pass: the Legislature lists it in the Senate file for bills not passed (last action March 6, 2026), and the code still says 3 years.

Washington

In Washington, a court may order an unlawful detainer (eviction) case to be of limited dissemination if the landlord's case was sufficiently without basis in fact or law, the tenancy was reinstated, or other good cause exists. The order must be in writing, and it is not automatic.⁴⁷

After an order for limited dissemination, a tenant screening service provider may not disclose the case in a tenant screening report about that person, and may not use it in any score or recommendation. The statute sets no waiting period. It was enacted in 2016.

Depending on your state and how your case ended, you may be able to ask the court to seal the case, vacate (cancel) the judgment, or mark a judgment as satisfied (paid). The FTC says some courts have self-help centers that can help with these motions.^2,7

If the court's own records look wrong or incomplete, the FTC says you may contact the court and send supporting papers. You may also ask your former landlord, in writing, to send updated or correct information to the court along with a request that it correct its records; the FTC says a written request may improve the chances of cooperation. When the court corrects the record, tell the screening company and the landlord. If your court has no self-help center, local legal aid or a lawyer can explain your options. The state list above shows where sealing is allowed.

In several states, paying what the court ordered is a condition of sealing a judgment. Oregon, Utah, Indiana, Delaware and Massachusetts each require a satisfied money award or judgment for at least one route.^4,6,24,30,42

Oregon asks for a satisfied money award plus 5 years after a judgment of restitution. Utah's petition route needs a judgment that has been satisfied, with a satisfaction of judgment filed. Indiana lets a tenant ask once a money judgment is satisfied. Delaware's 5-year route requires a satisfied award and no other similar judgments in the prior 5 years. Massachusetts lets you petition to seal a nonpayment case once the judgment or agreement is satisfied. Utah's courts add that if your case isn't eligible, paying down the debt and reporting that to the credit reporting agency can make a judgment less harmful.

A tenant screening report can include both housing court records, such as eviction actions, and criminal records, including arrests, charges and convictions. The 7-year limit covers most civil cases and arrest records, but the FTC says there is no time limit for criminal convictions.²

So an old eviction may drop off a report while an old conviction can still appear. Our guide, Second chance apartments: renting with a record, covers state and local fair chance housing laws and how to look for a landlord who will consider you.