Across the United States, eviction filings have rebounded sharply from their pandemic-era lows. While the country is not experiencing a single, universal “all-time high” at the same moment, recent data shows eviction activity reaching historic or near-historic levels in many states and major metro areas, with filings remaining well above pre-pandemic norms nationwide.
According to The Eviction Lab1, 2023 saw over 100,000 more eviction cases filed nationally than in 2022, marking one of the most significant year-over-year increases in decades. That elevated pace continued through 2024, and while some jurisdictions are now seeing modest declines in early 2025, filings remain stubbornly high suggesting stabilization at an elevated risk level, not a return to normal.
What’s Driving This Surge?
- The expiration of pandemic-era eviction protections and rental assistance programs
- Sustained rent growth outpacing wage increases in many markets
- Inflation-driven cost pressures that have reduced household financial resilience
- Ongoing housing shortages in both urban and fast-growing regional markets
Together, these forces have created a rental environment where more tenants are operating closer to financial and behavioral thresholds, and where eviction filings have become more common, even among renters who may appear qualified at first glance.
For property owners, this shift has real consequences. Higher eviction activity translates into greater exposure to tenant instability, rising operational costs, and increased turnover risk. And it raises a critical question: Are traditional tenant screening methods still sufficient in today’s market?
Why Criminal Records + Credit Are No Longer “Enough”
For years, property managers have relied heavily on:
- Criminal history checks
- Credit scores
- Income verification
But here’s the reality: the rental landscape has shifted. Evictions are increasingly tied to factors that go beyond simple credit scores or convictions. These include:
Behavioral and Rental History Patterns
A tenant with good credit but a pattern of late payments, lease violations, or frequent address changes may still pose a high risk. Traditional credit and criminal checks often overlook rental-specific behaviors that predict future eviction risk.
Increasing Tenant Sophistication
Bad renters know how traditional screening works2. They may:
- Mask red flags in applications
- Provide misleading references
- “Reset” financial footprints to hide past rental issues
Without comprehensive checks that integrate eviction histories, landlord-tenant court records, and verification of prior lease performance, these behaviors often go undetected.
Eviction Filings Are Not Evenly Distributed
In many cities tracked by eviction research, filings remain above pandemic baselines and in some metropolitan markets they continue to climb. That means landlords in high-growth areas are more likely to encounter tenants with prior eviction interactions or unstable rental histories3.
What “Enough Risk Management” Looks Like in 2026
If your current tenant screening process still stops at credit and criminal checks, now is the time for a strategic upgrade. Here’s what property owners should be asking themselves:
Are we looking at eviction histories not just credit?
Eviction filings are public records. Screening that includes local/state eviction data gives landlords a clearer picture of past lease behavior and rental stability.
Are we verifying rental-specific data?
Good screening tools should surface:
- Past evictions or eviction filings
- Lease terminations due to lease violations
- Payment patterns across previous tenancies
- Serial eviction involvement (even if debt was later paid)
Are we analyzing patterns, not just discrete data points?
A full risk profile should help answer:
- Is this applicant likely to stay current on future rent?
- Do they have a history of lease compliance?
- Are there patterns that suggest housing instability?
Why This Matters for Your Bottom Line
Every eviction filing, even those that never result in displacement, costs time, money, and operational energy. Court appearances, lost rent, repair costs, and unit vacancy all eat into your profitability.
With eviction trends this high and rental market pressures mounting, screening the right way is no longer optional… it’s essential risk management.
A Next-Gen Screening Mindset for Smart Property Owners
Here’s what you should evaluate in your tenant vetting process today:
- Does our screening include eviction and landlord-tenant court searches?
- Are we incorporating payment history patterns from past rentals?
- Do we have a consistent policy for factoring in non-criminal but lease-relevant red flags?
- Are we reassessing our risk tolerance and updating criteria accordingly?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your screening process probably isn’t aligned with the realities of the post-pandemic rental market.
FirstPoint Background Screening Can Help
Don’t leave your risk management strategy stuck in the past. A modern screening approach gives you:
- Comprehensive eviction and court record searches
- Detailed tenancy history data
- Pattern-based risk analysis
- Customizable criteria tailored to your property type and risk threshold
Because in today’s rental climate, just checking credit and criminal records isn’t enough. Property owners deserve clear, data-driven insight to make smart decisions and protect their investments.
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