GUIDE
An Expunged Case Still on a Tenant Report? Check These Steps
If a tenant report shows a record covered by an expunction order, check the order, the case number and the company that made the report. A report from a screening company can still be wrong.
What this guide covers
- Checking what your order covers
- Finding where the report went wrong
- Asking for a fix and a second look
Check what the order covers
Keep the signed order and note the case numbers, court and dates it covers. An order for one case may not cover another. If you're not clear on what the order covers, ask the lawyer who handled it or a legal aid office. Don't guess at it yourself.
Find where it went wrong
The problem could be an old source, someone else's record mixed up with yours, or a duplicate entry. “Database lag” is just one possible cause. Check the entry against your paperwork. Save a dated copy of the report before you ask for a correction.
Ask the company for a fix and the property for a second look
- Contact the screening company through its own dispute process.
- Point out the entry and send the order through that process.
- Keep proof of delivery and the company's response.
- Ask the property how to send in a corrected report and if it will look at its decision again.
Don't upload the order to our apartment inquiry form. We don't need your court file. The screening company may ask for proof and for ID to confirm who you are.
FTC: tenant background checks and your rights lists sealed or expunged information as one kind of report error. If the record still isn't fixed, Local Help lists places to get help. Fixing the report doesn't hold a unit for you or clear up other screening problems.
What to do next
- Get a copy of your own screening report so you see what a landlord sees. Our guide on checking your own background walks you through it.
- Keep the signed order with the case numbers, court and dates it covers.
- Use the steps in how to dispute background check errors.
- Send us your search details. We check community criteria for you as the report gets fixed.
Published by the Felon Friendly Apartment Team. This is general renter information. Each property makes its own decisions, and questions about your own case belong with a lawyer or legal aid.
RELATED SERVICE
Apartments With an Expunged Record
If an expunged case still shows up, we help you keep your apartment search going as you dispute it. We check each community's criteria against your record.
See how our expunged record search works →Common Questions
Why does my expunged record still show up?
The company may be using an old source, someone else's record or a duplicate entry. Stored data that hasn't caught up is one possible cause.
How do I get it off a screening report?
Use the screening company's own dispute process. Point out the entry and send the order through that process.
Can you help with my search as I fix the report?
Yes. We keep your apartment search going. Fixing the report doesn't hold a unit for you, so keep both moving.
Ready to Start Your Apartment Search?
Our help is free to renters. Participating communities may pay our brokerage a referral fee. Tell us what you need, and we'll check each community's criteria against your record.
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