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Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

The first step is to contact the local section 8 office for the city the property is located in.  After that, once a tenant is selected the city will inspect the property and determine if your rent is within acceptable limits.  They may give you a list of things to repair or they may require the reduction in rent.  Once that is completed, they will sign off and should get your client's banking information.

 

Note: I've only gotten as far as step one.  I've never rented section 8, but did my research 5 years ago for the city of Oxnard.  I've read considerable information lately about Los Angeles City and it runs the same.  The only difference is, they can take a month to get out for the initial inspection.  I believe all section 8 areas function the same, it's just a matter of staffing and workload for how long it takes to get someone out for the inspection.

 

There is a lot to be said for section 8, if they are good tenants the government pays the bills for you.  I know someone who has a lot of section 8 rentals in Nevada and speaks highly of them.  I also know that many LA City landlords are not fond of it.

Sep 16, 2019 10:35 PM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I don't know about your area but, Lynn B. Friedman recently wrote this post on Section 8 housing - Atlanta Investment Property - Section 8 - Take A Look

Good luck, Michelle!

Sep 16, 2019 08:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

They now call it the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and this should get you started in Sacramento County.

Sep 17, 2019 03:42 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Tell them to RUN away from this tenant and get someone who does not come with all of that govt baggage.

Sep 16, 2019 07:50 PM
Rainer
375,087
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

Contact your local housing authority and see what there steps are. Here it is pretty easy. This is from our local housing authority website:

*YOU select and approve a suitable tenant. SHA does not screen for suitability of tenancy. *You complete the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packet with the applicant; the applicant will return the RFTA to the Housing Authority main office. *The inspector, will determine if your unit is comparable to other unit’s in the community (rent reasonableness) and that the Total Tenant Payment, (including rent and utilities), does not exceed 40% of the participants monthly adjusted income. *The inspector will then schedule an inspection and notify the tenant and/or landlord of the inspection date and time. *Once the inspection has passed, a lease may be executed. The beginning date of the lease cannot be prior to the date the inspection had passed. 

I have only rented to one Section 8 tenant as that person came with the property at closing. He was nice enough but a little unstable and ended his tenancy within about 6 months. Years later, I had another person ask if they could use Section 8 so I looked into it. It is not hard to get approved, but there is a reason that people are in need of assistance and there are very few people that don't milk the system from what I have heard from other landlords. My local housing authority told me that I am able to say that the property is not Section 8 approved and you don't HAVE to apply for approval so it is not considered discrimination if you don't accept Section 8. 

Sep 17, 2019 10:34 AM
Ambassador
3,125,842
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Lynn B. Friedman has experience and Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA has given you information to use. 

Sep 17, 2019 06:51 AM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Looks like Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA has you covered!

Sep 17, 2019 06:26 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If the owner has less the 5 properties for consideration, you would be wise to review a 'do no harm' that is an implied duty of a real estate agent. Section 8 is viable for those with MANY units.

Hmmm, or this may be a good way to motivate this owner to become a seller. What they are about to endure the coming year makes every small investor spend sleepless nights and realize being a landlord with the gov't is not for them.

Sep 17, 2019 05:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Like you Michelle, I would need help since I am clueless.

Sep 17, 2019 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Here the first step is to check with the local housing authority Michelle Carr Crowe,Altas Just Call...408-252-8900! 

Sep 16, 2019 06:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Great answers from Libby Cousins and Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA  

Sep 21, 2019 12:12 PM
Ambassador
1,119,731
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Michelle Carr Crowe,Altas Just Call...408-252-8900! 
Glad to heaar my post helped! 
All the best - Lynn

Sep 17, 2019 08:52 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

You may find useful information at the Santa Clara County Housing Authority

I prefer to always go to the source for information.  I wish you all the best with this. 

Sep 17, 2019 12:11 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

that's good information....in MA, the property needs to be up to par.... no code violations....safe for children....lead free....

Sep 17, 2019 10:14 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Section 8 walks you right through what they want from a participant. After that, you will be flooded with approved people with vouchers. Caveat: while you may be guaranteed rent examine closely the whole situation...

Sep 17, 2019 06:53 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Here in CT you would contact the Housing Office in Hartford. They'd layout the steps for you. 

Sep 17, 2019 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Your unit will need to be inspected and often they require updates/ changes.

Sep 17, 2019 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

this is all easily found online for the landlord, you & the tenant. No 'help' needed.

Sep 17, 2019 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I would have them ask other landlords how well or unwel it is working for them.  know here in NH it is a nightmare for landlords in some cases. It was bad for me and i no longer will take it. 

Sep 17, 2019 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Sorry... I have no clue.

Sep 17, 2019 05:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Michelle,

I think you have some answers. here.  Good luck.  A

Sep 16, 2019 10:34 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Parked and reading, have never checked into this.

Oct 03, 2019 05:22 PM
Rainer
289,607
Byron K . Jones
Coatesville, PA
List Today - Sold Tomorrow!

Have them also look into the VASH program- (Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing), same criteria as the section 8, needs to be inspected and so forth but is for veterans...

Sep 18, 2019 02:59 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

The first step is to be desperate enough to take on sec 8 housing

Sep 18, 2019 05:43 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great question and answers will help. 

Best of luck.

Sep 17, 2019 07:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I know it could be done. Will read answers.

Sep 17, 2019 06:34 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,164
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good luck.

Sep 17, 2019 02:20 PM