How Long Do Hard Enquiries Stay on Your Credit Report And How to Remove Them

If you’ve ever applied for a loan, credit card, or even a phone contract, chances are you’ve come across the term “hard enquiry.” These enquiries are part of your credit profile and can influence how lenders view your financial responsibility. But many people are confused about what exactly a hard enquiry is, how it affects their credit score, how long it stays on their report, and perhaps most importantly how to remove it if it doesn’t belong there.

In this detailed guide, we’ll answer all those questions and more. Whether you’re trying to improve your credit score, spot suspicious activity, or simply want to understand your credit report better, this article will help.

What Are Hard Enquiries? (And How Do They Differ from Soft Enquiries?)

A hard enquiry (also known as a hard pull) is a request to check your credit report made by a third party — usually a lender or financial institution, when you’re applying for some kind of credit. This includes:

• Credit cards
• Car loans
• Home mortgages
• Personal loans
• Store financing
• Some apartment rentals or phone plans

The purpose of this check is to evaluate your creditworthiness — in other words, how risky it is to lend you money.

A soft enquiry, on the other hand, happens when:

• You check your own credit report
• You receive pre-approved credit card or loan offers
• Employers do a background check (with your permission)
• Some rental or insurance quotes are pulled

Soft enquiries do not affect your credit score, while hard enquiries usually do — at least slightly.

How Long Do Hard Enquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?

Hard enquiries typically remain on your credit report for two years, but their actual impact on your credit score fades much sooner — usually within 6 to 12 months.

Here’s a breakdown of their lifecycle:

• First 3–6 months: This is when they have the most impact. If you’ve applied for multiple credit cards or loans in a short period, lenders might see you as a higher risk.
• After 6–12 months: The effect begins to lessen. Most credit scoring models weigh older enquiries less heavily.
• After 12 months: They’re mostly ignored by your credit score, though they still show up on your report.
• After 24 months: The enquiry automatically falls off your credit report.

Important: One or two hard enquiries over the course of a year won’t hurt much, but multiple enquiries in a short time can lower your score by 5–10 points each, depending on your overall credit profile.

How to Remove Hard Enquiries from Your Credit Report

Unfortunately, if a hard enquiry is legitimate meaning you gave permission, you cannot remove it. It’s part of your credit history. But if the enquiry is unauthorized or fraudulent, you absolutely have the right to dispute and remove it.

Step-by-step guide to removing hard enquiries:

1. Get a Copy of Your Credit Report

Start by checking your report from all three major credit bureaus:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

Read How to Get Your Free Credit Report from All 3 Bureaus

2. Identify Unauthorized Enquiries

Look for any unfamiliar names, lenders, or dates. Did you actually apply for credit with them? If not, it may be:

• Identity theft
• A clerical error
• A mistaken or unauthorized pull

3. File a Dispute

If you spot an unauthorized hard enquiry:

• Dispute it online through the credit bureau’s official portal
• Provide any supporting documentation
• Credit bureaus must respond within 30 days

4. Contact the Company That Made the Enquiry

Ask for:

• A copy of the credit application they claim you submitted
• Written confirmation if they agree it was made in error
• A letter requesting removal from your credit report

If they don’t cooperate and you still believe the enquiry is fraudulent, you can escalate by filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Who Can Request Your Credit Report?

Not everyone can just look at your credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), only individuals or businesses with a “permissible purpose” can access it — and usually only with your permission.

Legitimate reasons include:

• Lenders and banks (for credit or loan applications)
• Landlords or property managers (for tenant screening)
• Employers (but only with written permission)
• Insurance companies (especially for auto or life policies)
• Debt collectors (when collecting a debt you owe)
• Utility providers or cell phone companies
• Government agencies (in limited situations, such as court orders or public assistance eligibility)

If someone pulls your credit report without a valid reason, that’s a violation and you can take legal action.

Can Too Many Hard Enquiries Hurt Your Credit?

Yes, but context matters, Credit scoring models like FICO and VantageScore take into account how often and how recently hard enquiries occur. If you apply for multiple credit cards or loans in a short window of time, it can signal financial distress to lenders — and your credit score can drop accordingly.

However, there’s a “rate shopping” grace period when applying for:

• Mortgages
• Auto loans
• Student loans

In these cases, multiple hard enquiries made within a 14–45 day window are usually counted as one single enquiry to allow you to compare offers without penalty.

How to Prevent Unwanted Hard Enquiries

Avoiding unnecessary hard pulls is easier than you think — it just takes awareness.

Tips to stay in control:

• Limit how often you apply for credit: Only apply when necessary, and don’t open multiple accounts at once.
• Use pre-qualification tools: Many credit card and loan companies offer soft-check tools to see if you’re eligible.
• Opt out of unsolicited credit offers: Visit OptOutPrescreen.com to remove your name from pre-approved credit lists.
• Monitor your credit regularly: Use free tools from trusted apps like Credit Karma or your bank to keep tabs on changes.
• Freeze your credit if necessary: If you suspect fraud or want to prevent any new credit accounts, consider freezing your credit with all three bureaus.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Credit Fraud

If you spot hard enquiries you didn’t authorize, don’t ignore them — they might be the first sign of identity theft. Here’s what you should do:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit report
2. Freeze your credit to prevent further damage
3. Report the fraud to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov
4. File a police report if needed
5. Contact the lender to cancel or flag the fraudulent application

Fast action helps limit damage and can lead to the removal of fraudulent enquiries.

Final Thoughts: Be Smart About Hard Enquiries

Hard enquiries are an important but often misunderstood part of your credit history. While they can slightly impact your credit score, the effect is usually temporary and can be managed with a little planning and awareness. The key is to stay informed, monitor your credit regularly, and act promptly if something seems off.

Here’s a recap of the essentials:

• Hard enquiries remain on your credit report for up to 2 years, but their influence on your credit score typically fades after the first 12 months. Most lenders only care about recent inquiries when evaluating your creditworthiness.
• Legitimate hard enquiries cannot be removed, but if you find an enquiry that you didn’t authorize due to identity theft or error you can and should dispute it with the credit bureaus.
• Not just anyone can check your credit. Only certain entities with a permissible purpose such as lenders, landlords, and employers are legally allowed to pull your credit report.
• Too many hard enquiries in a short time can be a red flag to lenders. Try to space out your credit applications and only apply for credit when necessary. Smart timing can help protect your score.

By understanding how hard enquiries work, you’ll be better equipped to make confident financial decisions. Think of it as another layer of credit literacy knowing when to apply, how it affects your score, and how to protect yourself from unnecessary dings.

And remember, you don’t have to rely on traditional credit-building methods like credit cards or loans. Tools like AxcessRent empower you to build your credit profile through something you’re already doing—paying rent on time. With no hard enquiry and no debt required, it’s one of the smartest and safest ways to strengthen your financial future.

Take control of your credit journey. Be informed. Be strategic. And let AxcessRent help you build lasting credit without the stress.