The simple fact is that all tenants, regardless of where their income is sourced from, need to be thoroughly screened to help ensure that you choose a good tenant. Business Loans for New Businesses: What You Need To Know ? If youre tired of renting and ready to become a homeowner, start by comparing mortgage lenders today. When a Landlord Can Keep the Security Deposit, How to Calculate the Fair Market Rent for Your Unit, Sample Letter to Increase Rent for Monthly Tenants, Renting From a Landlord vs Property Manager, Screening and Eviction for Drug Abuse and Other Criminal Activity. "Rent Reasonableness," Page 3. Here is a list of the benefits and the drawbacks when considering Section 8. The program assists not only low-income families but low-income elderly and disabled tenants as well. The federal law that established Section 8 does not require landlords to participate in the program. Proposed State Bill Says Landlords Couldn't Be Required To Take Section 8 The study was conducted by calling 422 local listings that met voucher requirements, meaning apartments similar to what an average voucher-holder would rent. Prohibiting Discrimination Against Renters Using Housing Vouchers The laws focus on the reasons why you decide that a tenant is fit or unfit for your property. So, after you learn whether your state or local fair housing law bars discrimination against applicants with Section 8 vouchers, follow some tips to avoid accusations. 5. Compare Home Equity Lines of Credit Reviews. For example, if the rent was $2,000 per month and the Section 8 benefit covered $1,700 per month, the family would pay the landlord $300 per month. Whether its okay to rent to family members who receive Section 8 benefits and, if so, which family members are allowed. The state has recently passed legislation that prohibits landlords from denying or refusing to accept applications from those who utilize public assistance. Even in Washington, where the researchers found the least amount of discrimination, the Equal Rights Center still found 130 advertisements that stated no vouchers accepted or no Section 8 (essentially writing out we are doing crimes here), indicating that some landlords are either unaware of the law or are confident that they will get away with breaking it. The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sometimes, youll meet a potential tenant that you really like, but they just cant afford the rent at your property so you have to let their application pass by. What Are Collateral-Free Unsecured Business Loans? 1. Section 8 recipients arent forced to live in housing projects or homes that have been designated for low-income residents. Still, many renters may not know where to look to find private landlords that accept housing vouchers. Thats because each PHA sets its own eligibility rules with HUDs national guidelines. Here are the top four benefits of being a Section 8 landlord. Public housing agencies determine eligibility for Section 8 vouchers based on a household's income and the number of family members living in the home. After approval, you may get wait listed. This, The type of screening they conducted on the tenant, The tenants current and previous addresses (as shown in the PHA records), The names and addresses of the tenants current and previous landlords, if known. The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. That is a record," he said. based on how tenants pay their rent, including whether they use a Section 8 voucher. Rental property owners cannot discriminate against an applicant or deny the application just because they have a housing voucher. After getting your initial questions answered, you can follow these general steps: Once your application is approved, the housing authority will set up an inspection to visit your property and make sure it meets, Under the Section 8 rules, owners may screen tenants for factors such as payment of rent; care for the rental unit and premises; respect for other tenants rights to the peaceful enjoyment of their premises; and drug-related criminal activity or other criminal activity that is a threat to the health, safety or property of others. Section 8 Housing in New Hampshire It's no secret that affordable housing is in short supply in the Granite State. The owner of this website may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. The Legislature, reasoned the court, was making it crystal clear that a subsidy to the landlord was different than, say, money paid to a tenants conservator. Dozens of other landlords and property managers weighed in with fervent opinions on both sides. This usually focuses on a background check and credit check to learn about the individual's criminal history and rental history. Just because a landlord accepts Section 8 doesnt mean that he or she has to approve anyone who receives this benefit as a tenant. Which States Require Landlords To Accept Section 8 Local city or county PHAs typically issue and administer Housing Choice Vouchers, although some state PHAs do as well. Lease terms, including whether a one-year lease must be renewed annually or can be converted to a month-to-month tenancy. You may evict a Section 8 voucher holder for good cause, which generally includes a serious or repeated violation of the lease agreement. The family chooses a home where the landlord has agreed to accept Section 8 benefits. You should not rely on it for any purpose without consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. You can also find some specific information about each states rules on the, Low vacancy rates because of the high demand for HUD-friendly properties, 70% of rent paid directly by the government; no risk, Tenants pre-approved by the PHA before receiving their voucher, Other landlords have an implicit bias against those that use vouchers, and they falsely believe that these tenants will be more likely to cause property damage than other tenants. But just because a prospect asks such a question doesn't mean the answer is up to you. All Rights Reserved. Youll have to fill out any paperwork required by the local PHA. Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8 More than 5 million households use federal rental assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 program, and about 70 percent of those individuals are older people, children and people with disabilities. One example is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) division, which offers several programs in rural areas. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney. "Chapter 10 Housing Quality Standards," Pages 25-26. The voucher covers part of the rent amount, based on how much renters can afford. How to Find Landlords That Accept Housing Vouchers You must give the tenant written notice of the grounds for eviction before or upon commencement of the eviction action. As a result, many low-income families turn to housing vouchers to help cover the cost of the rent. Instead, theres a five-step process. However, participating in this federal affordable housing program requires enduring long waiting times and many restrictions on the type of unit you can rent. Some states require private landlords to accept vouchers. Changes in the law may or may not impact landlords' rights regarding acceptance of Section 8 participants. Section 8 tenants tend to occupy the same home long term, in part because it can be a hassle for them to get permission from the PHA to move or because they are elderly or disabled and may have difficulty moving. The court also looked at the text of the source-of-income law and considered the effect of its language that a landlord was not to be considered a representative of the tenant. Section 8 housing is the governments largest low-income rental assistance program. ezLandlordForms is not a law firm and our products and services are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.