Consider Accepting Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

Many new landlords typically ask me questions about the Section 8 program. Here is a brief overview of it:

The Housing Choice Voucher program, formerly Section 8, is a housing assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Tenants qualify for the program if their income is below a certain level. This level, in addition to other criteria, varies according to state. Qualified tenants rent properties that are preapproved and meet requirements for minimal size, condition and amenities.

The properties can be apartments, duplexes or single-family homes. The tenant pays part of the rent directly to the landlord, and the remainder of the rent is paid by the government, specifically, a local public housing agency (PHA).

The benefit of accepting tenants through the housing choice voucher program is you are guaranteed that at least a portion of the rent will be paid. Even if tenants should break their lease or you evict them, the local PHA will continue to pay their portion of the rent.

If you decide to enroll as a housing choice voucher landlord, contact your local PHA. They will provide the paperwork, inspect your property to make sure it meets necessary requirements and, ultimately, pay you the government's portion directly.

To find your local PHA office, visit HUD's Web site and click on the link to your state.

Remember, you should follow the same methods of screening and approving potential housing choice voucher tenants that you would use for others. The PHA will qualify tenants to ensure they can get assistance, but the rest is up to you.

The same rules apply to these tenants as other tenants: you can collect a security deposit (from them, not the government), charge them late fees as stated in your lease and evict them, if necessary.