# Texas Eviction Records: Filing, Judgment and Dismissal > Filed, granted or dismissed eviction in Texas? Get the court papers, then sort out the filing, any judgment and how the case actually ended. URL: https://nocreditcheckapartment.com/guide/filed-vs-granted-vs-dismissed-evictions/ Trying to tell a filed, granted and dismissed eviction apart in Texas? Start with the court’s papers. Write down the filing date, any judgment and how the case ended, each on its own line. If the wording is unclear, ask the clerk before you put it on a rental application or use it in a screening dispute. ## The short answer - Whole file review: Some communities look at your whole file, including income, rental history, and how long ago the issue happened. - Individual reviews: At others, a manager reads your eviction status and decides case by case. We're the No Credit Check Apartment Team, a licensed real estate team brokered by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC (TREC #562021). Our team has worked in real estate for more than 20 years combined, alongside property managers across Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. We use those relationships to keep track of how each community screens an eviction on record. ## What filed and granted actually mean A filing and a judgment are two stages of the same court case, and the judgment is the one that hurts. ### What each status means These are the three statuses you'll see on a screening report. - Filed: The landlord started the case by filing an eviction suit (Texas calls it a forcible detainer). - Dismissed: The judge ruled for the tenant, or the landlord dropped the lawsuit. - Granted: The judge ruled for the landlord and ordered the tenant out (a judgment for possession). ### How Texas JP courts record them Every formal eviction in Texas starts in a Justice of the Peace (JP) Court. Cases become public record as soon as they're filed. Many counties let you search them online, and the JP clerk can look one up by name or case number. Filing costs the landlord [about $144 in Travis County](https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/justices_of_peace/Doc/JP5/Civil_Forms/Filing_an_Eviction_Information_Sheet_Eff_Jan_2026.pdf), counting service on one tenant. If the judge grants the eviction, the judgment goes into that same court record, where screening companies can pick it up. ### Why dismissed is easiest and granted is hardest Property managers see a different level of risk in each one. So we always tell renters to look past the filing and find out how the case ended. Eviction StatusRisk LevelWhat It Tells a LandlordDismissedLowest RiskThe case didn't hold up, or the tenant worked it out before any judgment.FiledMedium RiskSomething went wrong, but no judge ruled that the tenant was at fault.GrantedHighest RiskA judge ordered the tenant out, often with a money judgment for unpaid rent. ### Getting court proof of how it ended Get proof of how your case ended before you apply anywhere. Start with the county's JP court case search, then ask the JP court clerk for a certified copy of the dismissal order or judgment. Search by your name or the case number. The record tells you whether the case was dismissed without prejudice (meaning it can be refiled) or ended in a final judgment. ## How Texas communities handle it Texas property managers often screen through TransUnion SmartMove, RealPage LeasingDesk, or AppFolio. Each screening company pulls different data, and every property manager reads it differently. People burn $50 to $75 on every rejected application, and applying blind is how those fees pile up. An eviction that goes all the way to judgment can cost a landlord thousands in lost rent and court costs. That's why many Class A communities turn down a recent granted eviction. A dismissed one usually gets more room. Texas Property Code [Section 92.3515](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=PR&chapter=PR.92&artSec=92.3515) says a landlord has to make its written screening criteria available when it gives you an application. If it skips that and denies you, it owes your application fee and deposit back. We've already read those criteria for each community on your list, so there's nothing for you to go get. For next steps, see our [eviction](/eviction/) page or the related links below. ## What to do next Have a filed or granted eviction in your history and don't know whether to apply somewhere? Don't guess. Tell us what's on your record, and within 24 to 48 hours on weekdays we'll send Texas communities worth a look. Weekend requests most likely get a reply Monday. There's no cost to you. The communities pay our referral fee. - Related reading: [eviction](/eviction/) - More resources: [Texas JP court eviction records](/guide/texas-jp-court-eviction-records/) ## FAQ What's the difference between a filed and granted eviction? + Filed means the landlord opened a case. Granted means the court ruled for the landlord. Is a dismissed eviction the best outcome? + For renting, yes. It's the easiest status to get past once you have the paperwork. Where do I find my eviction status? + Search your county's Justice of the Peace court records online, or call the JP clerk with your case number. If you get stuck, send us the county and case number and we’ll point you to the right clerk. ## Related guides [### Does a Dismissed Eviction Still Show Up on Screening? A dismissed eviction filing can still show up, but properties usually treat it more lightly than a judgment. A certified dismissal order from the court is the proof managers want.](/guide/does-dismissed-eviction-show-on-screening/)[### Eviction vs. Broken Lease: What's the Difference for Renting? An eviction means a landlord went to court. A broken lease means you left owing money. That difference changes which communities will consider you.](/guide/eviction-vs-broken-lease/)[### How Long Does an Eviction Stay on Your Record in Texas? Evictions usually show up on screening for 5 to 7 years, and court records stay public. The older the eviction, the more communities open up.](/guide/how-long-does-eviction-stay-on-record-texas/)[### Renting After Multiple Evictions in Texas Multiple evictions get an almost automatic denial at many communities, but some will consider them with 3x to 4x income and a higher risk fee.](/guide/renting-after-multiple-evictions-texas/) ## Want us to look at your situation? Send us your screening issue and target city. We typically get back to you the same day to go over your form, and your community list usually takes 24 to 48 weekday hours. Weekend requests most likely hear from us Monday. Free. [Start Your Free Search](/find-apartments/) ## Put this advice into practice - [Organize your rental history](/calculators/rental-history-timeline/) - [Prepare your application checklist](/calculators/application-readiness-checklist/) - [See renter resources](/renter-resources/)