Hiring an eviction service company is a serious decision that requires diligence—hiring an unlicensed or fraudulent operator can invalidate your entire case and cost far more than the service itself. Before signing a contract or paying a retainer, you need to verify that the company is legally registered and authorized to operate in your jurisdiction. Here's exactly how to check.
Why Business Registration Matters for Eviction Services
Eviction services exist in a heavily regulated space. Depending on your state or country, eviction companies may need specific licenses to represent landlords, serve legal documents, or manage the removal process. An unregistered company can't legally file court documents, which means your entire eviction could be thrown out—wasting months of time and thousands in legal fees.
Additionally, registered businesses are easier to hold accountable if something goes wrong. If an unregistered company damages your property during removal or fails to follow proper legal procedures, you'll have minimal recourse.
Check Your State's Attorney General Office
Your state's Attorney General office maintains a searchable database of registered businesses and active complaints. This is your first stop.
- Go to your state's official AG website
- Search the business name and owner details
- Look for any disciplinary actions, cease-and-desist orders, or settlement histories
- Note the registration date and license type
For example, in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs maintains public records for licensed property managers and eviction specialists. In Texas, you'd check the Secretary of State's business database. If the company doesn't appear in these records, that's a red flag.
Verify Professional Licensing Requirements
Eviction service requirements vary significantly by location. Some jurisdictions require:
- Process Server License – To legally serve eviction notices
- Real Estate License – If the company handles tenant relations or property management
- Attorney License – If they're providing legal advice (many aren't; they just handle logistics)
- Local Business Permit – Usually required for operating in that city or county
Contact your local courthouse or county clerk's office and ask specifically: "What licenses does an eviction service company need to operate here?" They'll give you the precise requirements and direct you to the licensing body.
Search the Courthouse Records Database
Most county courthouses maintain online databases where you can search a company's eviction filing history. This tells you:
- How many cases they've actually handled
- Their success rate and filing accuracy
- Whether they've been involved in contested cases or complaints
Search your county courthouse's civil case database by the company name. If they claim to have handled 500+ evictions in your county but courthouse records show fewer than 50 cases, something's off.
Check Consumer Review Platforms and Complaint Registries
Cross-reference the company on:
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Look at their rating, complaint history, and how they respond to negative reviews. A company with legitimate complaints that went unaddressed is riskier than one with no reviews.
- Google Business Reviews – Read recent reviews from landlords who've used them.
- State Consumer Protection Agency – Search for unresolved complaints against the company specifically for eviction services.
A typical eviction service costs $800–$2,500 depending on complexity and your location. If a company has multiple unresolved complaints about billing or incomplete work, that's worth avoiding.
Ask for References and Verify Them
When you contact potential eviction service companies, request three recent landlord references from the past 12 months. Call them and ask:
- Did the service meet their timeline (typical evictions take 30–90 days)?
- Were there any licensing or legal issues during the process?
- Did the company communicate clearly throughout?
A reluctant company or one that can't provide recent references shouldn't be hired.
Request Proof of Insurance and Bonding
Ask the company for proof of general liability insurance and, if applicable, a fidelity bond. This protects you if the company causes damage during tenant removal or mishandles funds. A legitimate eviction service should provide this documentation without hesitation.
Use a Comparison Platform
Platforms like Mercoly help you compare and find trusted eviction and tenant removal service providers in one place, complete with verified credentials and customer reviews, saving you time on individual verification steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between an eviction service company and an eviction attorney? An eviction attorney provides legal counsel and courtroom representation; an eviction service company typically handles filing paperwork, serving notices, and coordinating the removal logistics. You may need both depending on your situation.
Q: How long does it take an eviction service to remove a tenant? In most states, the timeline is 30–90 days from start to finish, though it can extend to 6+ months if the tenant contests the eviction or appeals.
Q: Can an unlicensed eviction company still file eviction paperwork? No—courts reject filings from unregistered or unlicensed representatives in most jurisdictions, making the entire process void.
Start your search today by checking your state's Attorney General database and courthouse records.