How Do Landlords Check for Evictions? A Complete Guide

Tenant screening is one of the most important steps a landlord can take to protect their rental property—and checking for past evictions is a big part of that process.

An eviction record doesn’t always mean someone will be a bad tenant, but it can reveal potential red flags like missed rent payments, lease violations, or property damage. That’s why experienced landlords look into a tenant’s eviction history before approving an application.

In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how landlords check for evictions, what information shows up on a report, and how Hemlane helps make the screening process faster, easier, and more reliable.

Why Eviction History Matters

When a tenant is evicted, it usually means something serious went wrong—like repeated nonpayment of rent, violating lease terms, or causing damage to the unit. As a landlord, you want to minimize the risk of that happening again.

Checking a tenant’s eviction history helps you:

• Identify applicants who may have struggled with housing stability in the past
• Understand patterns of behavior that might not show up in a credit score
• Avoid the cost and stress of future evictions, which can take weeks (or months) and cost thousands

While not every eviction is an automatic dealbreaker, it’s a valuable data point that can help you make a more informed decision—especially when paired with credit, income, and reference checks.

How Do Landlords Check for Evictions?

There are several ways landlords can verify whether a tenant has been evicted in the past. Some are fast and automated, while others involve more direct outreach and manual research.

1. Tenant Screening Reports

Most landlords use a tenant screening service that pulls eviction data from court records. These reports often include:

• Eviction filings and judgments
• Unlawful detainer records
• Credit and criminal background checks
• Rental payment history (if available)

You’ll need the applicant’s written consent to run these checks, which is typically built into the rental application process.

2. Public Court Records

Evictions are often a matter of public record. If you prefer a DIY approach, you can:

• Search online databases hosted by your local court system
• Visit the courthouse in person to view case records

Keep in mind that not all evictions show up clearly—names can be misspelled, sealed cases may be hidden, and dismissed filings won’t always indicate why the case was dropped.

3. Rental History Verification

Reaching out to previous landlords can give you a more complete picture. When you contact them, ask:

• Was the tenant ever formally evicted?
• Did they leave voluntarily or after a court filing?
• Would you rent to them again?

While this step takes more time, it can reveal details that a screening report might not capture—especially if the case never made it to court.

What Shows Up on an Eviction Report?

When you run a tenant screening report that includes eviction history, you’ll typically see court-recorded data related to any legal eviction filings. These reports focus on unlawful detainer actions—legal proceedings that occur when a landlord tries to remove a tenant through the court system.

Here’s what may appear in a standard eviction report:

• Filing date: When the eviction case was submitted to the court.
• Type of action: Usually labeled as “unlawful detainer” or a similar term depending on your state.
• Case outcome: Whether the case was dismissed, resulted in a judgment, or was settled
• Judgment details: If a judge ruled against the tenant, the report may show any money owed or damages awarded.
• Property address: The location associated with the eviction filing.
• Plaintiff/defendant names: Typically the landlord/property manager and the tenant.

How far back do these records go?

Most screening services provide eviction history from the past 7 years, though this can vary by state or service provider. Some jurisdictions may also limit how long eviction records are publicly accessible.

What doesn’t show up?

Not every dispute makes it to court. Informal move-outs, private agreements, or early lease terminations without a formal filing won’t appear in an eviction report. That’s why combining eviction checks with landlord references is so important for getting the full picture.

What If an Eviction Is Found?

Discovering an eviction on a tenant’s record doesn’t necessarily mean you should reject their application immediately. Instead, it’s a signal to dig deeper and evaluate the full context.

Ask follow-up questions

If an applicant has an eviction on their record, consider asking:

• When did it happen? A one-time issue several years ago may not reflect the tenant’s current situation.
• What were the circumstances? Was the eviction due to job loss, illness, or a dispute with a previous landlord?
• What’s changed since then? Have they maintained stable housing and income since the eviction?
• Have they been honest? If the tenant disclosed the eviction upfront and explained it clearly, that transparency matters.

Consider the full application

Eviction history is just one part of the screening process. Before making a decision, weigh it alongside:

• Current income and employment
• Credit score and debt load
• References from past landlords
• Criminal background (if applicable)

Know your legal obligations

If you deny an applicant based on information in a screening report, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires you to provide them with an “adverse action notice.” This includes details on which screening company provided the information and how the applicant can request a copy of their report.

Evictions can be serious—but so is denying someone housing. Evaluating the context and looking at the bigger picture is the best way to make fair, informed decisions.

How Hemlane Helps with Screening

Tenant screening can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re juggling multiple applicants or trying to interpret eviction reports on your own. Hemlane makes this process easier, faster, and more reliable with built-in tools designed specifically for landlords.

Comprehensive Screening Reports

With Hemlane, you can run full tenant background checks that include:

• Nationwide eviction history
• Credit reports
• Criminal background checks
• Income insights and rental history (where available)

All reports are FCRA-compliant, giving you the confidence that you're following proper screening procedures.

Seamless Application Process

Tenants apply online through Hemlane’s secure portal. You’ll receive completed applications along with authorization to run screening reports—no extra paperwork required. Results are typically available within minutes.

Organized and Transparent

All screening reports are stored within the Hemlane platform, so you can:

• Compare applicants side-by-side
• Refer back to documentation as needed
• Stay organized during lease-up season or unit turnovers

Whether you're managing one property or dozens, Hemlane helps you make smarter decisions—without the manual hassle of chasing down forms or navigating multiple screening websites.

Conclusion

Eviction history is one of the most important factors landlords can check during the screening process—but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Whether you find a formal court filing or learn about an informal issue from a previous landlord, the key is to look at the full picture: income, credit, rental history, and communication. Not every eviction is a red flag—but not asking at all can lead to costly mistakes.

With Hemlane, landlords can simplify screening, access eviction reports instantly, and stay organized through every step of the rental process.

Get started with Hemlane and make smarter tenant decisions with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do landlords find evictions?

Most landlords use tenant screening services that pull eviction records from public court databases. They may also check directly with previous landlords to confirm rental history.

What are the rules for eviction?

Eviction laws vary by state, but generally, landlords must serve a legal notice, allow time for the tenant to respond or remedy the issue, and file a court case if the problem isn’t resolved. You can’t evict someone without going through the proper legal process.

What background check do most landlords use?

Landlords typically run a tenant screening report that includes a credit check, eviction history, criminal background, and rental references. Platforms like Hemlane combine all of these into a single report.

How do apartments know if you've been evicted?

Eviction records show up on background checks as part of court filings. Additionally, property managers often call previous landlords to ask if the tenant was evicted or asked to leave.

Do credit checks show evictions?

Not directly. Evictions themselves are not listed on credit reports—but unpaid rent, court judgments, or collections related to an eviction can appear and affect your credit score.

Do landlords care about evictions?

Yes. An eviction can be a sign of serious rental issues, but landlords often consider the full context—how long ago it happened, what the circumstances were, and how the tenant has behaved since.