Apartments That Accept Evictions: How Approval Really Works (and How to Get a Yes)
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
An eviction on your record can make the apartment search feel like a series of closed doors. You fill out the application, pay the fee, wait a few days, and get the same automated "we're unable to approve" email. It rarely says why. It rarely mentions that the eviction was three years ago, or that it was dismissed, or that you've paid rent on time every month since.
Here is the part those rejection emails leave out: plenty of communities will still work with you. Some screen the way a person would, weighing what happened and when, instead of running your file through a pass or fail filter. This guide explains what "apartments that accept evictions" actually means, what still blocks an application, roughly what it costs, and how to give yourself the best shot at a yes.
Quick answer: Apartments that accept evictions are communities that review your application individually instead of auto-rejecting anyone with an eviction on record. They weigh how old and how relevant the filing is, your current income, and your recent rental history. An eviction that was dismissed, settled, or is several years old often carries little weight when the rest of your file is solid.
Key takeaways
"Accepts evictions" almost never means no screening. It means the filing is weighed in context, not treated as an automatic no.
Recency and outcome matter most. A dismissed or years-old case is very different from an unpaid judgment last month.
Steady, verifiable income from any lawful source and clean recent rental history do the heaviest lifting on a borderline file.
You can strengthen an application with a larger deposit, a co-signer, references, or a short explanation letter.
Ask for a community's written criteria before you pay any application fee, so you're not spending money on guaranteed rejections.
What are "apartments that accept evictions"?
Apartments that accept evictions are rentals where an eviction record does not automatically disqualify you. Instead of a blanket rule, these communities look at the whole application and make a judgment call. The eviction is one data point among several, not the entire decision.
That distinction matters because "eviction" covers a wide range of situations. On a screening report, all of these can show up, and they are not equal:
A dismissed filing, where the case was dropped or you won
An eviction that was settled or paid afterward
A years-old judgment from a rough stretch that has since passed
A recent unpaid judgment or an open rental-collections balance
A broken lease with a balance owed to a prior landlord
A community that "accepts evictions" reads those differently. Most weigh the recency and relevance of the record, which is the same principle federal guidance points landlords toward. HUD's 2024 guidance on tenant screening warns against blanket bans and encourages case-by-case review, partly because old records are poor predictors of how someone rents today.
Why an eviction follows you (and for how long)
An eviction sticks around because it becomes a public court record the moment a case is filed, and tenant-screening companies pull those records into the reports landlords buy. In Arizona, eviction cases are handled in justice court and the filings are publicly searchable, as the Arizona Judicial Branch explains. The record can appear even if the case was dismissed or you paid what was owed.
Most screening reports surface eviction-related records going back about seven years, similar to how negative credit items age off. Time genuinely helps here. A filing from five years ago, followed by a clean stretch of on-time payments, tells a very different story than one from last quarter. If a report shows something inaccurate or a case you actually won, you have the right to dispute it before a decision is final, and it's worth doing.
How approval works at The Landon
At The Landon in North Phoenix, an eviction in your past does not end the conversation. Applicants with a past eviction are welcome, and every application is reviewed individually rather than run through an automatic cutoff. That's the core of the community's second chance approach: read the full picture, not one line on a report.
A few things make the process less stressful than most:
Applications are free. There's no application fee, so checking whether you qualify doesn't cost you anything.
Approvals are fast. The Landon offers one-minute application approvals, which means less time refreshing your inbox waiting on a maybe.
Income counts broadly. Lawful income sources are welcomed, and applications are weighed on the whole picture, not a single flag.
And a second chance here doesn't mean a stripped-down unit. The Landon is attainable luxury in Phoenix, Arizona: 1 and 2 bedroom loft-style apartments plus 1, 2, and 3 bedroom townhomes, with in-unit full-size washer and dryer, high-end appliances, solid wood barn doors, and 9 to 11 foot ceilings depending on the home. Rents start at $1,645 a month. Shared spaces include a pool and sundeck, a 24/7 fitness center, gated underground parking with EV charging, and a large dog and walking park right next door, since it's a pet-friendly community.
If you want to see what's available, browse the floor plans and pricing or call the leasing team at 480-572-0006 for a straight answer about whether your situation is a fit. You can also ask them to send the written rental criteria before you apply. The community sits at 8125 N 23rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
What still blocks an application (and what usually doesn't)
Even at eviction-friendly communities, some things carry real weight, and it helps to know which is which before you apply. This is where honest expectations save you time and money.
Factor | Usually workable | Harder to get past |
|---|---|---|
Eviction age | Several years old, clean since | Filed within the last few months |
Case outcome | Dismissed, settled, or you won | Open judgment still owed |
Balance owed | Paid off or on a payment plan | Unpaid balance to a prior landlord |
Income | Steady and verifiable | Unverifiable or no documentation |
Recent rental history | 12 to 24 months on time | A second recent eviction or skip |
The pattern is consistent: communities are far more concerned with what you owe now and how you've rented recently than with a single old filing. An unpaid judgment or a very recent case is the real hurdle, not the mere existence of an eviction. If you're rebuilding after a bumpy year, our guide to getting approved with bad credit in Phoenix walks through the same logic from the credit angle.
How to strengthen your application
Whether you apply at The Landon or anywhere else, these steps measurably improve your odds. None of them require a perfect record.
Gather proof of income first. Recent pay stubs, an award or benefits letter, an offer letter, or a few months of bank statements. Documented, steady income is the single strongest thing you can show, and any lawful source counts.
Write a short explanation letter. One honest paragraph about what happened and what's changed reframes an old eviction for a human reviewer. Keep it brief and factual.
Line up references. A recent landlord who'll vouch for on-time payments carries real weight, as does an employer or income-source contact.
Offer a larger deposit. Volunteering extra deposit signals confidence and lowers a community's perceived risk.
Bring a co-signer or guarantor with stronger credit if one is available to you.
Ask for the written criteria up front, and apply where individualized review is the actual policy. That way you're not paying fees on communities that will auto-reject you. For more on how these programs really work, see this guide to eviction-friendly apartments.
What it really costs to rent with an eviction
Renting with an eviction on record usually costs a little more upfront, though not always. Here's what to budget for so nothing catches you off guard.
The most common added cost is a higher security deposit. Some communities ask for extra deposit when a record shows up, which can mean anywhere from part of a month's rent to a full month or more on top of the standard amount. Application fees are the other line item, typically running $35 to $75 per adult at most communities, which is exactly why free applications are worth seeking out. Beyond that, expect standard move-in costs: first month's rent, any admin or amenity fees, and deposits for pets or parking where they apply.
One honest trade-off to know: some listings that heavily advertise "we accept anyone" pair that promise with tired units or fees that add up. It's worth comparing the total move-in cost and the actual home, rather than only the approval odds. Because The Landon charges no application fee, the cost of simply finding out whether you qualify is nothing, which makes it easy to compare against other options without stacking up fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent an apartment with an eviction on my record?
Yes, in many cases. Communities that review applications individually weigh how old the eviction is, whether it was dismissed or paid, and your recent rental history and income. A single older or dismissed filing paired with steady income and clean recent payments is very often approvable.
Does "accepts evictions" mean there's no screening?
No. It means the eviction won't automatically disqualify you, not that screening is skipped. These communities still run a standard tenant screening. The difference is that they read the results in context, weighing recency and relevance instead of auto-denying on a single record.
How long does an eviction stay on my record in Arizona?
Eviction records are public court filings and typically appear on tenant-screening reports for about seven years. In Arizona, cases are filed in justice court and remain publicly searchable. Time and a clean recent history reduce how much a single old filing weighs on a new application.
What if the eviction on my report is wrong or was dismissed?
You have the right to dispute inaccurate screening information before a decision is final. If a report shows a case that was dismissed, that you won, or that isn't yours, flag it in writing with the screening company and let the community know. A corrected record can change the outcome.
Will a larger deposit or a co-signer actually help?
Yes. Both are among the most reliable ways to strengthen a borderline application. A larger deposit lowers a community's risk, and a co-signer or guarantor with stronger credit backs up your income. Offering either signals confidence and often tips a maybe toward a yes.
Does The Landon charge an application fee?
No. Applications at The Landon are free, and approvals can come back in about one minute. Applicants with a past eviction are welcome, and each application is reviewed individually. You can ask the leasing team at 480-572-0006 for the written criteria before you apply.
What documents should I have ready before applying?
Have a government-issued photo ID, proof of income from any lawful source (pay stubs, a benefits or award letter, or a few months of bank statements), and contact info for a recent landlord and your income source. An optional short letter explaining any past eviction is a smart addition.
Is a recent eviction harder to rent with than an old one?
Yes. Recency is one of the biggest factors. A very recent filing, especially one with an unpaid balance, is harder to get past than one that's several years old and followed by on-time payments. If your case is recent, focus on documented income, references, and paying down any owed balance.
*Equal Housing Opportunity. The Landon is an equal housing opportunity provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or source of income, in accordance with the federal Fair Housing Act and the City of Phoenix Human Relations Ordinance. Every applicant is evaluated individually under the same written criteria.*
