What landlords and screening companies look for
Landlords use background checks to assess risk, and they focus on three categories: criminal history, eviction records, and unpaid debts tied to housing. A screening company pulls these from court records, arrest databases, and tenant-reporting agencies — not from your credit report alone. The charges that matter most are those showing you did not pay rent, damaged a property, or committed a crime inside a rental unit.
Not every charge blocks you. A misdemeanor from ten years ago is weighted differently than a recent felony. An eviction for non-payment carries more weight than one for a lease violation. Landlords have discretion, and policies vary widely — a small landlord may overlook an old conviction while a large management company applies a blanket rule.
Key Takeaways
- Eviction records, unpaid rent judgments, and recent felonies are the charges most likely to stop you from renting.
- Misdemeanors and older convictions may not disqualify you if the crime is unrelated to tenancy or property damage.
- Screening companies pull from court records and tenant databases, so charges must be formally recorded to show up.
- You have the right to see your screening report and dispute inaccurate information before a landlord makes a decision.
- Some landlords use individualized assessment, meaning they consider context and time passed rather than explore a single rule to all applicants.
Eviction records and unpaid rent judgments
An eviction on your record is the single strongest barrier to renting. Landlords see it as proof you did not pay or broke the lease, and they treat it as a direct prediction of future behavior. An eviction stays on record indefinitely in most states, though some states allow removal after a set period if you can show the case was resolved or dismissed.
Unpaid rent judgments — court orders saying you owe money — are equally damaging. These appear on background checks and often remain visible for seven years or longer. Even if you later paid the judgment, the record of non-payment stays. A judgment also affects your credit score, which landlords may check separately.
If you have an eviction or judgment, be honest about it on your process. Landlords will find it anyway, and lying gives them grounds to reject you outright. Some landlords will rent to someone with an old eviction if you can show you have paid rent on time since, or if you provide a co-signer with clean history.
Felonies and violent crimes
Felony convictions are treated more strictly than misdemeanors, but the specific crime matters. A felony drug conviction or a crime involving violence, theft, or property damage will disqualify you from most landlords. Crimes committed inside a rental unit — domestic violence, assault, or manufacturing drugs — are red flags for any property manager.
The age of the conviction also affects the decision. A felony from 15 years ago, with no subsequent arrests and stable housing since, is viewed differently than one from two years ago. Some states allow you to petition for expungement or sealing of records after a waiting period, which removes the conviction from public view and allows you to legally say it did not happen.
Sex offender registration is a separate issue. If you are on a sex offender registry, landlords will find this through public databases, and most will reject your process. Some states have restrictions on where registered offenders can live, which may limit your options further.
Misdemeanors and minor charges
A single misdemeanor does not automatically disqualify you. Landlords distinguish between crimes that suggest you are a risk to the property or other tenants and those that do not. A misdemeanor for disorderly conduct or a traffic violation is less concerning than one for theft, drug possession, or assault.
Multiple misdemeanors, especially if they are recent or show a pattern, carry more weight. A landlord may see repeated arrests as a sign of instability or ongoing legal trouble. If you have several minor charges, explain the context on your process — whether you were convicted, whether charges were dismissed, and what has changed since.
Charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal should not appear on a background check, but errors happen. If you see a dismissed charge on your screening report, you can dispute it with the screening company and ask them to correct the record before the landlord sees it.
Unpaid utilities, collection accounts, and other debts
Unpaid utility bills and collection accounts tied to a previous rental do not always stop you from renting, but they raise concerns. A landlord sees unpaid utilities as a sign you may not pay rent either. Collection accounts show up on credit reports and sometimes on tenant-screening reports, depending on which database the screening company uses.
Medical debt, credit card debt, and car loans are less relevant to renting — landlords care most about debts tied to housing. However, if your credit score is very low because of unpaid debts, some landlords may require a larger security deposit or a co-signer. A few landlords do not check credit at all and focus only on eviction and criminal history.
If you have unpaid utility debt from a previous rental, contact the utility company and ask about a payment plan. Paying off or settling the debt before you explore improves your chances. Some landlords will overlook old collection accounts if you can show you have paid subsequent bills on time.
How to find out what is on your record
You can request your own background report from the screening company before you explore. The three largest tenant-screening companies are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — landlords use one or more of these. You can also request a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com, which shows debts and collection accounts.
If you have been arrested or convicted, you can search your state's court records online to see what is publicly available. Many state court systems have searchable databases. If you cannot find your records online, visit the courthouse in the county where the case was handled and ask the clerk to pull the file.
Once you know what is on your record, you can decide how to address it. If information is wrong — a case dismissed but still showing as a conviction, or an eviction that was overturned — gather documentation and prepare to dispute it with the screening company and the landlord.
Steps to take if you have charges on your record
Start by being transparent. Landlords expect to find something on a background check, and they are more forgiving of applicants who disclose it upfront than those who hide it. Write a brief explanation on your process or in a cover letter: what happened, when it happened, and what has changed since.
Offer a co-signer if you have one — a parent, relative, or friend with clean credit and stable income who agrees to cover rent if you do not. A co-signer reassures a landlord that someone else is backing your ability to pay. Get the co-signer's permission and make sure they understand the commitment.
Provide references from previous landlords, employers, or others who can vouch for your reliability. If you have rented since the charge, a letter from a recent landlord saying you paid on time and took care of the property carries weight. If you have not rented since, ask an employer or community organization to write a reference.
Offer a larger security deposit. Some landlords will accept a higher deposit in exchange for overlooking a charge. This shows good faith and gives the landlord extra protection. Make sure any agreement about a larger deposit is in writing.
Your rights when a landlord rejects you
If a landlord denies your process based on a background check, they must tell you so and provide the name of the screening company they used. You have the right to see the report and dispute any inaccurate information. The screening company must investigate your dispute within 30 days and correct errors at no cost to you.
Some states have "ban the box" laws that prevent landlords from asking about criminal history on the initial process. These laws require landlords to assess your qualifications first, then ask about convictions only if you pass other screening. If your state has a ban-the-box law, use it to your advantage — get your process in before the criminal history question comes up.
Fair housing laws protect you from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, disability, family status, or sex. If you believe a landlord rejected you for one of these reasons rather than your actual record, you can file a complaint with your state's housing authority or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do evictions and criminal records stay on your background check?
Evictions typically remain visible indefinitely, though some states allow removal after seven to ten years if the case was resolved. Criminal convictions stay on public record permanently unless expunged or sealed. However, many landlords focus on recent history — a conviction from 20 years ago with no subsequent arrests may not disqualify you.
Can a landlord reject you for a charge that was dismissed?
A dismissed charge should not appear on your background check, but errors occur. If you see a dismissed charge on your report, contact the screening company when ready and ask them to remove it. Provide court documentation showing the charge was dismissed. Once corrected, the landlord should not see it.
What if you were arrested but never convicted?
An arrest without conviction should not appear on most background checks, though some screening companies include arrest records. If you see an arrest on your report and you were not convicted, dispute it with the screening company. Provide court records showing the case was dismissed or you were acquitted.
Does paying off a collection account remove it from your background?
Paying off a collection account improves your credit score, but the account itself remains on your credit report for seven years. However, a paid collection is viewed more favorably than an unpaid one. If the collection is related to housing, paying it before you explore strengthens your rental process.
Can you rent with a felony conviction?
Yes, but it depends on the crime, how long ago it happened, and the landlord's policy. A felony from many years ago with stable housing and employment since may not disqualify you. Violent crimes and crimes involving property damage are harder to overcome. Some landlords use individualized assessment and will consider your full history rather than explore a blanket rule.