How Many Points Does Eviction Drop Your Credit Score?

An eviction typically knocks about 100‑150 credit score points off your record, with the exact credit score points drop hinging on the size of the eviction‑related debt and the lender's reporting practices. Large collections, such as a $2,000 unpaid rent judgment, often drag the score down roughly 120 points, while a modest $500 balance can still trigger a 100‑point dip. The impact reflects how unpaid rent is reported to credit bureaus rather than a statutory penalty, so variations arise from the creditor's timing and the severity of the entry. Higher starting scores cushion the blow, but lower baselines amplify it, as we covered in the 'your starting score dictates the damage' section.

The next section examines why myths about direct eviction penalties don't hold up (see how evictions affect credit scores).

Unpaid rent collections typically knock 100‑150 points off a credit score. The exact hit hinges on how the collection enters the credit file and the borrower's starting score.

• Major credit bureaus treat an eviction‑related debt as a delinquent account, prompting an average 100‑150 point drop.
• Higher starting scores absorb the hit less gracefully; a 750 score may lose 120 points, while a 620 score could see a 90‑point dip.
• The collection stays on the report for up to seven years, keeping the score suppressed for the duration unless settled.
• Paying the owed rent can replace the delinquent status with a 'paid collection,' often recouping 30‑50 points after 30 days.
• Disputing inaccurate entries, especially if the landlord failed proper notification, can erase the whole penalty (see experian report on eviction reporting).

Higher credit scores typically endure a bigger credit score points drop from eviction-related debt because FICO and VantageScore weigh new negatives against a stronger baseline. An eviction‑related collection on a 750 score might shave off 120‑150 points, landing near 630, whereas the same item on a 620 score often trims 80‑100 points, settling around 520 (as we discussed in the unpaid rent collections section). The model treats the deviation from an excellent range as more severe, so the absolute loss spikes.

Lower scores suffer a smaller raw subtraction but see a sharper percentage plunge. A 580 rating could lose 70‑90 points, slipping to the high‑400s and crossing the 'poor' threshold that many lenders flag. That relative hit can trigger higher interest rates even though the point count is lower. The next section quantifies the average drop for new evictees exposed to these scenarios. FICO scoring model explanation

Eviction‑related debt usually nudges a fresh tenant's credit score down by about 20‑40 points once the filing appears as a collection or public record.

• Lower‑score borrowers (under 620) often land near the upper end of that band, losing roughly 35‑40 points because negative items carry extra weight.
• Mid‑range scores (620‑720) typically shed 20‑30 points, reflecting a moderate but noticeable hit.
• High‑score accounts (above 720) generally drop under 30 points, frequently only 15‑25 points as the overall profile cushions the impact.
• The decline shows up within the first 30‑60 days after the record is posted, then stabilizes.
• Settling the outstanding rent can restore points over time, though the exact rebound depends on the broader credit mix.
• Regularly reviewing the credit file and disputing any inaccurate eviction entry can prevent unnecessary loss (Experian analysis of eviction impacts).

Direct eviction penalties rarely cause a credit‑score points drop; the credit bureaus only register the debt or judgment that follows the eviction. Any score loss therefore originates from unpaid rent, collection accounts, or court rulings, not the eviction notice itself.

• Myth that the eviction filing itself appears on the credit report is false; only a charged‑off debt or a public‑record judgment registers.
• Myth that a landlord can report an eviction without a verifiable unpaid‑rent balance is inaccurate; reporting agencies require concrete debt evidence.
• Myth that every eviction knocks the score down by a fixed 100‑150 points oversimplifies reality; the impact varies with the debt amount and the borrower's existing credit profile (as we covered above).
• Myth that paying the owed rent after the case instantly erases the credit‑score points drop ignores reporting lag and the fact that collection accounts may remain for up to seven years.

A handful of real tenants have seen their credit scores plunge about 150 points after an eviction judgment lands on their file. The drop typically occurs when unpaid rent and court fees are reported as a collection, which FICO treats like any other revolving debt. Numbers vary - some individuals lose as little as 120 points, others dip past 160, depending on existing balances and credit mix (see CFPB eviction credit impact study).

Those 150‑point hits illustrate why even modest rent arrears can knock a healthy score into the sub‑700 range. As we covered above, larger balances magnify the effect, while the next section shows how a 100‑point plunge can stem from a single missed $200 payment.

An eviction-related unpaid rent debt that lands in collections typically knocks about 100 credit‑score points off your report. The drop occurs because collection accounts are weighted heavily in scoring models, especially when the borrower has a clean history beforehand. Factors such as the original score, the age of the debt, and whether the account is reported as 'past due' or 'charged‑off' influence the exact magnitude, but the average impact hovers around a 100‑point credit‑score points drop. Lenders view even modest eviction‑related debt as a signal of financial instability, prompting the algorithm to penalize the score more aggressively than a similar non‑housing collection.

Consider a renter who owes $600 in back rent and the landlord sends the account to a collection agency. The borrower's score falls from 720 to roughly 620 within a month, and the delinquent line stays on the credit file for seven years. If the same individual faces a $1,200 unpaid‑rent collection, the score may slide from 680 to about 560, illustrating how even small balances can trigger a 100‑point plunge. As we covered above, the severity scales with the original score, but the pattern remains consistent across the board.

Losing a job while an eviction is pending typically pushes the credit score points drop to the higher end of the usual 100‑150 point range, because income disappears, unpaid rent piles up, and lenders see a weakened borrowing profile. The resulting strain often triggers missed credit‑card payments or loan defaults; although debt‑to‑income ratio isn't a direct FICO input, it indirectly fuels those score‑damaging actions.

The compounded fallout shortens the rebound window, meaning the six‑month repair timeline discussed later becomes harder to achieve. As we covered above, any additional liability - such as a roommate's share of the debt - further drags the score down (see the next section). For deeper insight, check how job loss reshapes credit health.

Shared roommate debt can trigger a credit score points drop of typically 50‑150 points once unpaid rent turns into a collection account.

When a lease lists both names, the creditor reports the balance under each Social Security number, so both tenants see the same hit.

• Collection entry stays on the report for up to seven years (Fair Credit Reporting Act).
• Score impact varies with the original rating; higher starting scores tend to lose more points.
• Lenders treat the entry as eviction-related debt, weighing it similarly to an individual eviction.

Mitigating the damage means demanding proof of ownership, negotiating a payment plan, or challenging the entry before it lodges - tactics explored in the next section on fighting eviction court.

Challenging an eviction judgment can halt the public‑record entry and keep the associated credit‑score points drop from ballooning.

1. Scrutinize the summons for filing deadlines; missing a deadline forfeits the right to contest and allows the eviction‑related debt to hit the credit report automatically.
2. Assemble proof of rent payments, lease terms, or landlord violations; clear documentation often convinces a judge to dismiss the case, limiting any credit‑score impact as we covered above.
3. File a motion to vacate the judgment or a counterclaim before the court renders a final order; this forces the landlord to prove the debt, preventing premature reporting to credit bureaus.
4. Request a stay of collection while the dispute proceeds; a stay blocks the creditor from notifying credit agencies, protecting the score from a 100‑150‑point plunge.
5. Appear at the hearing prepared, presenting all evidence and urging the judge to reduce or nullify the eviction‑related debt; a favorable ruling removes the public record and curtails future score damage.

Legal Services Corporation guide to eviction defense

A disciplined six‑month plan can lift the credit‑score points drop caused by eviction‑related debt, though full recovery often extends beyond that window.

• Verify every entry tied to unpaid rent; dispute inaccuracies through the proper channel how to dispute credit report errors.
• Settle outstanding collections promptly; paid collections may remain on the report for up to seven years but lose their 'unpaid' status.
• After payment, send a goodwill letter asking the creditor to remove the negative mark goodwill credit adjustment request.
• Open a secured credit card or a credit‑builder loan to generate fresh positive activity.
• Keep credit utilization below 30% and pay balances in full each cycle.
• Ensure every account records on‑time payments; even a single missed payment can stall progress.
• Track the credit files each month using a free service free annual credit report site.

The next step - leveraging legal avenues to limit eviction damage - appears in the following section.