[GA] What should I do if my credit report lists balances I owed from prior evictions, but I've paid those balances off?
June 4, 2025
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An eviction comes in two parts:
- The money owed; and
- Repossession of the land.
This means if a tenant leaves the property, the money is still owed, or if the tenant pays the money, the repossession may still take place.
So what this means is that legally speaking, even if you do not have a balance and you've paid it off, the eviction judgment or filing would stay on your background check.
The thing is that if the credit reports are still showing you owe money when you don't, that's a different story. What this means is that you would be able to submit a formal demand letter to demand that those credit reporting agencies update your credit report immediately under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S. Code § 1681i(a)(1)(A)).
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Hi! I have eviction fillings on my record but do not owe any balance to any leasing companies; however, my credit report lists them... preventing me from obtaining a new place. My current leasing office will not remove them; however, has provided me an official ledger stating I don't owe anything. What should I do?
I understand the frustration this situation must be causing you. Have you tried disputing the eviction filings with the credit bureaus?
I don’t know how to do that. How do I do that?
Have you considered seeking legal assistance to help resolve this issue with your credit report and potential impact on finding a new place?
I don’t have money for an attorney and am in need of a place to live within the 3 weeks.
Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with your credit report issue.
No, that’s about it. I do have a guarantor, my parents, to help me locate a place but they won’t rent to me without the eviction filings being removed. I have an official ledger from my leasing office stating I don’t owe anything and have paid my entire balance, from moving out.
Hey there! Welcome to AskaLawyer. I'm Legal Eagle, an attorney with many years of experience. That being said, what do you hope for from this conversation?
Hi! I have eviction filings on my record but do not owe any balance to any leasing companies; however, my credit report lists them... preventing me from obtaining a new place. My current leasing office will not remove them; however, has provided me an official ledger stating I don't owe anything. What should I do?
I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're facing. Could you let me know what state you're in? Also, have you tried contacting the credit bureaus to dispute the eviction filings on your report?
I’m also in the state of Georgia. And I don’t know how to dispute an eviction.
Understood! So you're just wondering what it is you can do here, correct?
Yes. I’ve applied to multiple places and have been denied because of my rental history.
I'm so sorry about this situation! I want to address your situation with a detailed response, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask because this law stuff can get complicated.
An eviction comes in two parts:
- The money owed; and
- Repossession of the land.
This means if a tenant leaves the property, the money is still owed, or if the tenant pays the money, the repossession may still take place.
So what this means is that legally speaking, even if you do not have a balance and you've paid it off, the eviction judgment or filing would stay on your background check.
The thing is that if the credit reports are still showing you owe money when you don't, that's a different story. What this means is that you would be able to submit a formal demand letter to demand that those credit reporting agencies update your credit report immediately under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S. Code § 1681i(a)(1)(A)).
How do I submit a demand from those credit reporting agencies?
Sure thing! So I would ask those landlords who are showing this information to give you a copy of the credit report because they have to.
You may want to consider writing a formal demand letter to those agencies stating that they have to update their records immediately. I've uploaded a sample of what I am talking about. I have demand letter templates for sale for just $38.
I can send a request to you through this site so you can accept and I can upload it right here.
So ask my leasing office or their corporate office for the report?
I can craft a demand letter similar to what you provided. After I obtain the report, what do I do next?
So any time you apply for an apartment, or any apartments you've already applied to, if they have run your credit and denied you an apartment, then you can demand a copy of the credit report they ran. Then, you can contact that credit reporting agency and have them update their records.
Gotcha. How long will it take to have them removed from my record?
Sure thing! They have to do it within 30 days.
Oh wow! Thank you. Do you believe the eviction filings can be possibly removed before the end of the month?
Possibly, if you work quickly.
Thank you. I’ll complete this tomorrow morning. I appreciate you. Tomorrow are you available to answer additional questions if I have any?
Sure thing!
I hope I was able to help resolve your issue! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
I will and thank you. Enjoy your day and weekend.
