An eviction can stay on your record for up to seven years. This seven-year period applies primarily to tenant screening reports and public records, which landlords often check when considering rental applications

. Key points about eviction records and their impact include:

• Tenant Screening Reports: Evictions typically remain visible on tenant screening or rental history reports for up to seven years. These reports are commonly used by landlords to assess rental applicants and may include eviction history, lawsuits, and other relevant information

• Credit Reports: Eviction itself does not appear on your credit reports. However, if you owe rent or fees that are sent to a collection agency, the resulting collection account can show up on your credit report and negatively affect your credit score for up to seven years

• Public Records: Eviction filings become part of public records and can remain accessible for up to seven years, although this can vary by state and local laws

• Removal or Shortening of Eviction Records: In some cases, if the eviction was illegitimate or if you reach a financial settlement with the landlord, you might petition the court or landlord to have the eviction record removed or amended sooner

In summary, while evictions stay on tenant screening and public records for about seven years, they do not directly appear on credit reports unless unpaid debts related to the eviction go to collections. The seven-year timeline is standard but can vary depending on local regulations and specific circumstances.