Beginning July 1, eligible Kansas renters can ask a court to remove old eviction records that may be preventing them from renting a home or apartment.
For years, an eviction filing remained on a person’s record permanently, even if the case was dismissed, the tenant won in court or the money was later repaid. Those records often appeared in tenant screening reports, making it difficult to qualify for housing.
A new Kansas law now gives many renters a second chance by allowing eligible eviction records to be expunged, or removed from public view.
Who Qualifies?
You may be eligible if:
- Your eviction case is at least three years old.
- You have gone three years without another eviction judgment.
- Any money awarded to the landlord has been paid in full, unless the landlord agrees to the expungement.
You Probably Don’t Need an Attorney
Kansas designed the process so eligible renters can usually complete it themselves.
The first step is to visit the Kansas Judicial Branch’s Eviction Expungement Self-Help Center, where you’ll find information explaining the process, downloadable court forms, filing instructions and answers to common questions.
Start here:
Kansas Eviction Expungement Self-Help Center
After filing a free motion with the district court where the eviction case was heard, you’ll notify your former landlord by certified mail. If the landlord does not object within 30 days, the court may approve the request without a hearing. If there is an objection, a judge will decide whether you meet the legal requirements.
Why It Matters
About 16,000 eviction cases are filed in Kansas each year. Even when people eventually pay what they owe or successfully resolve a case, an eviction filing can continue to affect where they can live years later.
Housing advocates say the new law helps renters who have met their obligations move forward while still protecting landlords by requiring unpaid judgments to be satisfied before most records can be cleared.