Section 8 tenants : ezLandlordForms

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Stuart P

started a topic over 14 years ago

What is your experience/feelings on Section 8 tenants? I have heard a lot on both sides from Realtors and Property Managers but not much from the investors perspective. What say you?

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Jonathan &

said almost 14 years ago

Hey Scott C in Ohio - Just ask! If you want a section 8 increse call their office and just tell them that. You must give them the name and contract date of your section 8 tenant and they will tell you when you can get an incerase and how much ( unless you are already at the max)

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Jeffrey J

said almost 14 years ago

Being a new landlord because of the property value decreases (couldn't sell for a loss), I went with a section 8 applicant that seemed like a good risk. Checked her references and even spoke with her current landlord. She was only moving because she had a new baby and needed a 2 bedroom with washer and dryer which I have. Her share of the rent was only $89 so I figured no problem. During the year and a half she was there, she was always late on her share and I got numerous letters from the condo association about violations plus complaints from my previous neighbors about noise and fights. She had to pay her own utilities which got shut off regularly for non-payment (not good for furnished refrigerator or mildewing clothes in my washer). During her first inspection by section 8, there were busted doors, walls, and mirrors that she was responsible for repairing or replacing. I loaned her the money to fix the items as I didn't want to have to lose the rent and have to fix the damage myself anyway. She didn't repay all the loan and then bailed without notice about 4 months later. When I entered the unit the real horror story began. 4 doors missing and 4 more damaged to the point of must be replaced. Shower massage, and 6 built-in shelves all stolen. Brick tiles in front of the fire place broken. Walls painted in black and white tile pattern. Garbage and filth everywhere. I've already taken 4 truck loads to Goodwill and filled a dumpster with garbage. Her $700 deposit will not even cover the back rent and section 8 terminated her contract because her where-bouts are unknown. Now I'm out big money by trying to help her and just got the shaft in the end. Maybe they are not all like this but my first experience has not been very positive.

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Tonya R

said over 13 years ago

Knock on wood...I've had really good success with my Section 8 tenants. I've read the horror stories from above. I've been a investor for 3 years and I own 10 properties and 4 are on section 8. I do an extensive background ck which includes criminal & credit on all my tenants. I collect my rent the old fashion way; i go door to door; this gives me an opportunity to visually look around while there writing the check and i ask them if there is any maintenance issues that need addressing. By doing this you want fail on the yearly inspections that are required from HUD.

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Sheryl J

said over 13 years ago

Amen! They find stuff to write you up! Even stuff that was damaged by tenants and never told to you before the inspection. The tenant need to be accountable for destroying our properties! I completely rehab everything before they move in and they destroy it! No pride! Yes they just reduced rent alot! I agree with everthing the Robert and Brian.

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Sonia B

said over 13 years ago

Oh, I had my experience with an section 8 tenant and it was a mess, then annual inspection is another way for them to spend more money then needed. I had done the repairs that was ask of me and how but when I did a $25 increase the tenant moved out, because she did not want to pay it. You don't figure!!!

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Dennis A

said over 13 years ago

Now they call section 8 HAP Housing Assistance Program. There has to be some good tenants out there on assistance but I sure have not had good luck. Yes you loose control, single women move in their unemployed criminal boyfriends and MAMas are the worst. Their adult boys are angels with just bad luck. Daughters bring in even more unemployed men. They are not on the lease and not supposed to live there but they do with no thought for utilities. It is no wonder there is a 20% premiem for these people. They need baby sitters and an in house maintenance man like they had at the apartments section 8 apartments. I AM SERIOUS THESE PEOPLE NEED ADULT SUPERVISION THAT APARTMENT COMPLEXES SUPPLY. it hurts to see the wasted tax dollars. Everybody deserves a chance but a lifetime of hand-outs? Not for me. I do feel sorry for the kids but they only know and do what they see...

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RichDeid P

said about 13 years ago

we re in prep stage of our first sect 8 whooosh after reading- I will do an extensive background check for sure wowowow

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Alejandro M

said about 13 years ago

I rented to a section 8 people, this is my first time renting to these people and i tried calling the office that runs section 8 and they never return my calls. My question is do these people are obigated to pay the utility bill for exampole the trash bill which is now 5 months pass due and i'm getting letters from the Waste Management people??