# Renting With an Expunged Record | Texas Apartment Help > Expunged case still showing on a screening report? See what to check, keep your court order and get our free help with a Texas apartment search. URL: https://felonfriendlyapartments.com/expunged-records/ # Find Apartments With an Expunged Record in Texas If an expunged record is causing trouble in your Texas apartment search, we'll help you look for apartments, free. At the same time, take the screening problem to the right place to get it fixed. [Start Your Free Search](/find-apartments/) ![Person reviewing paperwork beside a laptop](/images/misc/renter-at-desk-with-order-of-expunction-document-a.webp) ## What You Get - A plain read on why an expunged case can still show up - Steps to dispute an old entry with the screening company - Communities whose criteria fit your record as you fix the report - Pointers to legal aid for record questions ## Check the order against the report Find the case your expunction order covers and compare it with the entry on the report. Keep copies of both. The entry may come from an old data source, a duplicate entry or someone else's record mixed in with yours. Don't assume one explanation covers every error. ## Send your proof to the right place To fix the report, use the screening company's dispute process. We ask how a property handles an updated report or a request to take another look. You don't need to send the order or your ID documents through our form. ## What to say on an application After an expunction, Texas law lets you deny the arrest and the expunction order. There's one exception: if you're asked under oath in a criminal case, you can only say the matter was expunged (Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55A.401). Check with a lawyer or [legal aid](/local-resources/) before you answer an application question about it. A nondisclosure order works differently, so read [our nondisclosure order page](/non-disclosure-order/) if that's what you have. ## Keep the housing search going Look at your income, rental history, budget and timing, not just the disputed entry. Fixing one report problem doesn't mean you meet the rest of a community's criteria. It doesn't mean a unit will still be open, either. Read [what to do when an expunged record shows up](/guide/why-an-expunged-record-can-still-appear-on-screening/) and use [Local Help](/local-resources/) if you need legal help. If you're trying to get an expunction, not fix a report after one, ask a lawyer if you qualify and how to file. ## Why does an expunged record still show on a background check? - **Different update schedules.** Court and state records may clear first. Private data companies update on their own timing. - **Data bought earlier.** Screening companies pull from many sources. If one still holds the old case, the report can show it. - **No notice yet.** A company that bought the data earlier may not know about your order. ## How to dispute a stale screening report under the FCRA The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act lets you dispute an entry you think is wrong. Send the screening company a written dispute with a copy of your expunction order. In most cases, the company gets 30 days to look into it. See [how to dispute background check errors](/guide/how-to-dispute-background-check-errors/) for the steps. Start the dispute early, before you apply if you can. We keep your search going as you wait. ### How we compare | Topic | Searching on your own | With our team | | --- | --- | --- | | **Cost to you** | An application fee at each place you try | Our help is free. Participating communities may pay our brokerage a referral fee. | | **Screening criteria** | Hard to learn before you pay | We check each community's written criteria against your record. | | **Report errors** | You sort it out alone | We explain the dispute steps. We don't give legal advice. | | **Who decides** | The community | Still the community. We can't promise approval. | | **Reply time** | Depends on each office | We text you shortly after you send the form. Lists usually go out on weekdays, in one to two business days. | ![Illustration of a court document on a table](/images/features/certified-order-of-expunction-with-county-clerk-se.webp) ![Illustration of a person writing beside an envelope](/images/features/dispute-letter-envelope-addressed-to-screening-com.webp) ![Two story garden style apartment community in Texas](/images/features/two-story-texas-garden-apartment-community-brick-v.webp) ![Empty apartment living room with a ceiling fan](/images/features/renter-in-empty-apartment-living-room-with-ceiling.webp) ## How It Works ### Tell us about your search Send us your metro, budget and move date. The order and your ID can stay off our form. ### We explain the dispute steps We don't give legal advice. We go over the screening company's dispute steps with you. ### Options as you wait You don't have to stop your search. We check each community's criteria against your record and send you the ones that fit. ### Legal help if you need it For record clearing questions, use Local Help to find legal aid near you. ### Start Your Free Apartment Search Our locating help is free. Tell us about your move, budget and record. We text you shortly after you send the form. ## Questions About This Record Type ### Why does my expunged record still show on a background check? Private screening companies keep their own copies of court data. If a company never got the order, or hasn't updated yet, it may still show the old case. The FCRA gives you a way to dispute it. ### How do I dispute a screening company that still reports an expunged record? Send the company a written dispute with a copy of your expunction order. Keep copies of everything. In most cases, the company has 30 days to look into it. ### Can I still apply for apartments during the dispute? Yes. We check each community's criteria against your record and go over options with you. We ask how a community handles an updated report. ### Do you help with the expunction itself? No. Expunction is legal work, and we don't give legal advice. Use [Local Help](/local-resources/) to find legal aid groups that handle record clearing. ### How much does your help cost? Nothing. Our locating service is free to renters. Participating communities may pay our sponsoring brokerage a referral fee. Each community sets its own rent and fees. ## Related Record Types ### [Nondisclosure Order](/non-disclosure-order/) See what we check → ### [Dismissed Charges](/dismissed-charges/) See what we check → ### [Deferred Adjudication](/deferred-adjudication/) See what we check → FREE GUIDES ## Guides for This Record Type ### [Texas Expunction Under Chapter 55A: A Renter’s Starting Point](/guide/expungement-in-texas-chapter-55a/) A starting point on Texas expunction under Chapter 55A. Read guide → ### [Dispute an Apartment Background Error: A Practical Checklist](/guide/how-to-dispute-background-check-errors/) A checklist for disputing a wrong entry on a tenant report. Read guide → ### [Find the Company Behind Your Apartment Screening Report](/guide/which-tenant-screening-companies-apartments-use/) How to find the company behind your screening report. Read guide → ## Prepare before you apply [Renter tools and budget checklist](/renter-resources/) · [Local Help](/local-resources/) · [How our free service works](/how-it-works/)