Why does a judgment matter?

A judgment allows the landlord to evict you if you do not to pay on time in a nonpayment case (or fail to move out on time in a holdover case). A judgment in a Housing Court case will appear on the Public Record section of your credit report. Businesses look at your credit report to learn about you. They decide if they want to lend you money, or give you a credit card. Sometimes, employers look at your credit report when you apply for a job. Cell phone companies and insurance companies look at your credit report, too. A judgment on your credit report can make it harder to get loans and can trigger companies to raise the interest rates on loans you already have. Consenting to a judgment can lower your credit score significantly.