6 States Where Eviction Filings Are Highest—And What to Watch For When Investing in Them

BiggerPockets Blog
Published: January 20, 2026
Regulations & Compliance

Summary

Eviction filings are up in several states, potentially impacting landlords. Hosts should be aware of rising eviction rates in areas like Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, and understand local tenant protection laws to navigate potential issues.

Key Insights

  • In the 12 months through late 2025, cities such as Nashville, Tennessee; Austin, Texas; and Greenville, South Carolina recorded filing rates far above their local baselines.
  • Areas such as Richmond and parts of Northern Virginia have been particularly affected by eviction filings.
  • Eviction filings nationally have returned to near-historic averages and, in some places, surpassed them.

Action Items

  • Tighten screening - Don’t go easy on background checks or on verifying income and references.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium
  • If considering investing, it’s essential to know your city’s tenant protections.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium

Common Mistakes

  • Continually having to file for eviction is the death knell to a small landlording business.
  • Simply deciding to invest in a state or city with lower eviction numbers might not tell the complete story.

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