Second Chance Apartments That Accept Evictions: How to Rent Again

What second chance apartments really are

“Second chance apartment” is a marketing phrase, not a legal category. It describes a property whose owner has decided to accept some renters that a strict screening policy would turn away, such as people with a past eviction, low credit scores, or a criminal record. Some large complexes advertise this openly. Far more often, the second chance comes from an individual owner who rents out a few units and is willing to listen to your story.

A landlord who says yes is usually trading risk for protection. Expect one or more of these conditions:

• Proof that your income is steady, often two to three times the monthly rent.
• A larger security deposit, or first and last month up front, where state law allows it.
• A co-signer or a paid guarantor service that promises to cover unpaid rent.
• A shorter first lease, or a slightly higher rent, until you build a track record.
• Proof that any old judgment has been paid or settled.

Every one of those conditions costs something, so it is worth fixing your record first. A clean or improved report widens your choices and can save you hundreds of dollars on deposits and fees.

How an eviction appears on screening reports

Most landlords and property managers buy a tenant screening report when you apply. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, these reports can include your credit report, rental history, eviction actions and lawsuits, criminal history, and sometimes a risk score or a simple accept or decline recommendation.

Screening companies gather eviction information from court records. That matters for two reasons. First, a case can appear even if you won, the landlord dropped it, or you moved out before a judgment. Second, records are sometimes matched to the wrong person, especially when names are common. Both problems can be challenged, which is covered below.

An eviction case is different from a credit report entry. The three national credit bureaus track loans, cards, and collections. If an old landlord sent unpaid rent to a collection agency, that collection account can appear on your credit report and lower your score. Paying it does not erase it right away, but a paid account looks better to a person reviewing your file. To learn how credit files work, see our guide to credit reports and scores.

How long does an eviction stay on your record?

There are two different records to think about: the court record and the screening report.

Court records are public and can stay on file indefinitely unless a judge seals or removes them. Each state and county sets its own rules.

Screening reports are limited by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681c. It says consumer reporting companies generally may not report civil suits and civil judgments that are more than 7 years old from the date of entry, or until the statute of limitations has run, whichever is longer. Other adverse items, such as a collection account, are generally limited to 7 years. Some states set shorter limits for tenant screening, so a local legal aid office can tell you whether a stricter rule applies where you live.

In practice, many landlords care most about the last two or three years. An eviction from five years ago, followed by on-time rent somewhere else, is often easier to explain than a recent one.

Getting your reports and disputing errors

You cannot fix what you have not seen. Start by getting copies of the reports landlords use.

1. Credit reports. Get free reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official site for free reports. Look for collection accounts from past landlords.
2. Tenant screening reports. If you were turned down, the landlord must name the screening company. The CFPB says you have a right to a free copy if you ask within 60 days of the denial. You can also request your file directly from screening companies; the CFPB keeps a list of consumer reporting companies, including tenant screening firms.
3. Court records. Look up your case on your county court website or call the clerk. Note the case number, the outcome, and the date.

Then compare. Common problems include cases listed as judgments that were actually dismissed, cases filed against someone with a similar name, the same case listed twice, a paid judgment shown as unpaid, and records older than the reporting limit. Send a written dispute to the screening company with copies of your proof, such as a dismissal order or a satisfaction of judgment. Keep copies and the date you sent it. Screening companies generally must investigate and correct or delete information they cannot verify, and disputing is free.

Sealing, dismissals, and court records

A growing number of states and cities let tenants ask a court to seal or limit access to eviction records, at least in some situations. Common examples are cases that were dismissed, cases the tenant won, cases settled with the landlord, and cases older than a set number of years. Other states have no sealing law at all. Because the rules change often and differ so much, ask a free legal aid office before you pay anyone to “clean” your record.

A sealed record should stop showing up on new screening reports. If it still appears, send the screening company a copy of the sealing order and dispute the entry.

If your case is still open, talk to a lawyer before the hearing. A dismissal or a written agreement that the case will be dismissed after you pay can keep a judgment off your record entirely. You can find free civil legal help through the Legal Services Corporation’s legal aid finder. If you rent in Texas, our guide to eviction assistance in Texas covers the newer state eviction rules.

Paying off the judgment or old rent

Many landlords will consider an applicant with an old eviction but will not rent to someone who still owes a past landlord. Settling the debt is often the single most useful step.

• Find out who owns the debt. It may still be with the old landlord, or it may have been sold to a collection agency.
• Ask for a payoff or settlement amount in writing. Landlords and collectors sometimes accept less than the full balance, especially for a lump sum.
• Get proof when you pay. Ask for a letter saying the balance is paid or settled. If there was a court judgment, ask the landlord or their lawyer to file a satisfaction or release of judgment with the court.
• Update your reports. Send that proof to the screening companies and credit bureaus so the record shows as paid.
• Get advice first if the debt is very old. In some states, a payment can restart the time limit for collecting. A free nonprofit credit counselor can help you weigh this; the National Foundation for Credit Counseling lists member agencies.

If you cannot pay in full, a written payment plan that you keep up with still shows good faith. Bring the plan and your payment receipts to rental showings.

Finding second chance apartments that accept evictions

Because there is no official directory, finding second chance apartments that accept evictions takes some legwork. These approaches work best:

1. Smaller, independent landlords. Owners of duplexes, small buildings, and rented houses often screen by phone or in person rather than by automatic score. Look for “for rent by owner” signs and local listings, and ask to talk before you pay an application fee.
2. Ask before you apply. Call or email: “I had an eviction in 2022 that is now paid. Do you consider applicants with a past eviction?” This saves fees on places with a firm no.
3. Older or lower-rent complexes. Some managers advertise “second chance” or “flexible screening.” Ask exactly what they accept, such as how many years since the eviction, and get it in writing.
4. Housing counselors and case managers. Local nonprofits, HUD-approved housing counselors, and rapid re-housing programs often know which landlords work with their clients. The HUD housing counselor finder lists free agencies.
5. Your own network. Friends, coworkers, churches, and employers sometimes know an owner who will give a referral a chance.

Application fees add up quickly. Ask what the fee covers, whether it is refundable if you are turned down, and whether the landlord will accept a screening report you already have.

Building an application that gets a yes

A landlord who reviews applications by hand is asking one question: will this person pay rent on time from now on? Give them evidence.

• A short, honest explanation. One paragraph on what happened, such as a job loss or medical bills, and what has changed.
• Proof of income. Recent pay stubs, a benefits award letter, or an offer letter. If income is from several sources, list them on one page.
• Proof the old debt is handled. A paid or settled letter, a satisfaction of judgment, or a payment plan with receipts.
• References. A letter from a landlord you rented from since the eviction is the strongest. An employer, case manager, or pastor helps too.
• A co-signer or guarantor. A relative or friend with good credit and income can agree to cover the rent if you cannot. Some companies act as paid guarantors for a fee; read the terms carefully, and remember the fee is usually not refundable.
• An offer of auto-pay. Setting rent to pay automatically on payday reassures some owners.

If you need help with a deposit or first month’s rent, see our guide to charities that help with deposit for rent.

Options compared by situation

The best route depends on how old the eviction is and whether money is still owed.

Public housing, vouchers, and criminal records

A past eviction does not automatically disqualify you from public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher. Federal rule 24 CFR 960.204 requires public housing agencies to deny applicants for 3 years after an eviction from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity, with some exceptions, such as completing an approved rehabilitation program. Beyond the mandatory bans, each housing authority writes its own screening policy, which you can ask to read.

Policy on criminal records changed in 2025. A Federal Register notice published July 17, 2026 lists HUD’s 2016 guidance on applying Fair Housing Act standards to criminal records among withdrawn HUD guidance documents, effective September 25, 2025. HUD has also urged housing providers to screen applicants more closely. The Fair Housing Act itself is still law, and some states and cities have their own limits on how landlords use criminal records, so ask legal aid what applies where you live.

Waiting lists for assisted housing can be long. To learn how vouchers work and how to apply, see our guide to the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Rapid re-housing and free local help

If you are homeless or about to lose your housing, rapid re-housing programs may be the fastest way back into an apartment. They are funded largely through HUD programs such as the Emergency Solutions Grants program and are run by local nonprofits. Depending on the program, they may help with a deposit, a few months of rent, and a case manager who knows landlords willing to rent to people with past evictions. Access usually runs through your area’s coordinated entry system, which you can reach by calling 211.

211 can also point you to churches and charities that help with deposits and moving costs, and to free tenant counseling. Applying for these programs is free.

Avoiding second chance list scams

People with an eviction are a common target for rental scams. The Federal Trade Commission warns about fake listings copied from real ones, landlords who will not show the unit, pressure to decide fast, and requests to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Watch for these warning signs:

• A website or social media group that sells a “list of second chance apartments” for a fee.
• A promise that you will be approved “no matter what,” before anyone has seen your application.
• Requests for a deposit or holding fee before you have seen the inside of the unit or signed a lease.
• A “credit repair” company that charges up front and claims it can remove accurate court records.
• Rent far below other units nearby.

Disputing errors yourself is free, and accurate records cannot be removed just because someone is paid. If you are scammed, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Your plan for the next 30 days

1. Week 1: pull your three credit reports and request your tenant screening files. Look up your court case.
2. Week 1: call legal aid about disputing, dismissing, or sealing the record.
3. Week 2: send written disputes for any errors. Contact whoever holds the old debt about a settlement or plan.
4. Week 3: build your packet: explanation letter, income proof, references, and debt proof. Line up a co-signer if you can.
5. Week 4: call small landlords and flexible complexes, ask about their policy before paying fees, and apply to the best fits.

Related guides

• Low income housing with no waiting list
• Churches that help with security deposit
• Emergency moving assistance
• Housing help

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Screening and sealing rules vary by state and city, so check with a local legal aid office. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with any landlord, screening company, or government agency.