Consumer Resources for When Eviction Is on Your Rental Record

You may feel alone when facing eviction and needing housing. Fortunately, non-profit and government resources are available to help you with housing and emergency rental relief.

Consumer resources for help after an eviction can depend on your state and city. For more information, contact a local eviction attorney for legal advice about your options for finding housing after an eviction.

Is There Consumer Rights Help After an Eviction?

Help for consumer and tenant rights is available from government and community organizations. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find consumer resources if you have an eviction on your record. Generally, resources for renters with an eviction history include:

• Legal aid
• State bar association resources
• State rental assistance programs
• Consumer rights agencies

Legal Aid and Bar Associations

Legal aid societies and state bar resources can help with low-cost or no-cost legal assistance. Your state or community legal aid group may have resources for representing you in landlord-tenant disputes, eviction courts, and unlawful eviction cases.

Legal aid advocacy is for people with low income who need legal advice for housing issues. Search for state, county, or local rental assistance or legal aid societies. You can also contact your state or local bar association for referrals.

Rental Assistance Programs

It’s much harder to get back on your feet after an eviction. Rental assistance programs can help you avoid an eviction or find new housing after an eviction. Rental assistance programs are run by state or local government programs and non-profit agencies.

If you’re facing an eviction, you may be able to get Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA). Rental assistance can help you cover back rent and short-term future rent payments. To qualify, you generally must meet income limits.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides rental relief resources. HUD works with state and local agencies to provide funds to pay for rent and utility bills. You can find rental assistance resources from:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)

How Can You Clear Your Credit Report After an Eviction?

If you don’t qualify for state or local housing assistance programs, you can still try to increase your housing options. Evictions aren’t included in your credit history. However, collection agency actions related to an eviction can show up in your credit check. For example, if a prior landlord got a money judgment against you after an eviction filing, it will show up on a credit check.

To find out what’s on your credit report, request a free copy. You can get a free annual report from the three consumer reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can report any errors or mistakes to the credit bureaus. Your housing options can improve once inaccurate information is cleared off your consumer report.

Can You Clear an Eviction From Your Tenant Screening Report?

A credit report isn’t the only background check property managers consider. Tenant screening companies provide prospective landlords with a copy of your rental history. This includes court records and criminal records. If your previous landlord started the legal eviction process, it will show up in your court records.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to request a copy of the tenant screening report. If your rental application is denied because of the information in the tenant screening, you have up to 60 days to request a free copy of the report. You can also dispute any inaccurate information in the report.

Can You Get Low-Income or Subsidized Housing After an Eviction?

There are also government resources for subsidized housing and low-income rentals. These housing options are more open to renters with a prior eviction. You can find your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) by searching the HUD website.

How Can You Find a Rental After an Eviction?

You may not qualify for low-income housing, but you still need a place to live. You can improve your options for finding a rental with the following:

• Finding a family member to be a co-signer on the lease
• Offering a higher security deposit
• Finding a temporary sublet while you build your credit score

Can a Lawyer Help Clear an Eviction?

If you can’t get help from consumer groups, you can always turn to an eviction lawyer. An eviction lawyer can search your court records to identify eviction filings that are hurting your housing options. A lawyer can seal the records so they won’t show up in a background check. They can also dispute any inaccuracies in your credit report that are limiting your rental options.

For more information about your legal options when you have an eviction on your rental record, talk to an eviction lawyer.