by Matthew M. Gorman, Esq. The program provides families with a certificate or voucher that allows them to lease an apartment or home they otherwise couldn’t afford. Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. Landlords should thoroughly measure Section 8 pros and cons so as not to miss out on a potential source of rental revenue. If you have questions about any of these forms, feel free to call our Landlord Services Team at (503) 802-8333, option 5, or e-mail [email protected] . Property rental listings directly to Public Housing Authority, Maximize Rental … Section 8 landlords even have the option of browsing tenant profiles, allowing them to get to know their potential tenants, and even contact them directly. In some cities and states, it’s illegal for landlords to discriminate against people who receive Section 8 benefits. The government portion of the rent is sent directly to the landlord and the tenant, in turn, only pays 30% of their income on housing. Section 8 Evictions. Property rental listings directly to Public Housing Authority, Maximize Rental … The maximum security deposit limit is determined by the state laws - Click here to see what is the maximum security deposit amount for your state. This means that landlords throughout California must treat Section 8 applicants like any other applicant and cannot refuse to take Section 8 applicants or use phrases like “No Section 8” in their advertisements. Continue reading to get the full scoop! The increase must be comparable to other rent prices in similar units. Section 8, also known as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, exists to provide housing solutions for low income families. In other words, the government pays a portion of the rent for tenants on this program. Security Deposit: The landlord can ask the tenant for a security deposit. If a landlord chooses to rent to someone with a Section 8 voucher, they make a tangible difference in the world around them. Landlord May Refuse to Participate in Section 8 Program . Because of their economically disadvantaged status Section 8 recipients often deal with discrimination. After the landlord and tenant have been approved by the Section 8 housing voucher program, they enter into a lease agreement separate from the local public housing authority and Section 8 program. Topics include: (1) What is Section 8, (2) Project Based vs Tenant Based, (3) 5 Benefits of Renting to Voucher tenants, (4) 11 Disadvantages , and more! When that has been determined by the local housing authority, then the landlord can rent their property to a Section 8 tenant and accept the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. It’s worthwhile to learn how to apply for the program and how to find houses for rent by owners who accept Section 8 vouchers because it can save you a lot of money. How to become a Section 8 Landlord and rent to a Section 8 tenant - A Section 8 landlord is someone that has had the necessary inspections needed to certify their property as decent and safe housing. Section 8 landlords can make good money, with a lower risk of rent defaults – at least on the government-paid portion. Section 8 is a popular government program. The California Supreme Court has ruled that landlords who participate in government-subsidized tenancies (most commonly, Section 8 tenancies) must give tenants a 90 Day Eviction Notice when terminating tenancies without cause. Section 8 vouchers help make housing more affordable, but not every listing in your apartment search will take them. § 1437f), often called Section 8, as repeatedly amended, authorizes the payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of low-income households in the United States. HUD Section 8 landlord application process and forms explained in plain English - Learn how to become a Section 8 landlord with this step by step guide. In order to qualify, applicants to the California section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) need to meet a … Because Section 8 housing is in high demand, participating landlords are exposed to a wide selection of potential renters. Section 8 Landlord Resources. You advertise your rental home for new tenants and you get approached by a prospective tenant on the Section 8 housing program. 1. 2. Under California law, tenants are protected from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or conditions such as pregnancy or any disability. The success of the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program depends on the participation of nonprofit and private property owners. The Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) program pays a housing subsidy directly to the landlord with the family paying the difference of the actual rent and the program subsidy. Find a section 8 rental, landlords, tenants, housing authorities, Find a section 8 tenant at Gosection8.com. In addition, landlords are limited in the amount of times they can increase the rent per year. In this free investor guide you'll learn if Section 8 is good for landlords or not. Find a section 8 rental, landlords, tenants, housing authorities, Find a section 8 tenant at Gosection8.com. The landlords must keep security-deposit money in an escrow account and keep it separate from his own money and separate from any business funds. It is unlawful for a landlord to discriminate against a Section 8 rental applicant based on race, color, marital status or income. A single housing authority likely has hundreds, and even thousands of applicants on a waiting list. California treats Section 8 rent assistance as “not income”; this has two consequences: 1. Rental Period: Section 8 rules dictate that all Section 8 leases have to be fixed term tenancies lasting 12 months or more. In order to operate a Section 8 rental, the local housing authority must approve both the landlord and the property itself. The same rules apply to escrow accounts for Section 8 tenants as apply to non-Section 8 tenants. Section 8 guidelines for landlords. Although some landlords worry about renting their home under Section 8, there are actually a lot of fantastic benefits to using the program. In a case with important and lasting implications for landlords, the California Courts of Appeal has found that a landlord may legally refuse to participate in the Section 8 Program. The money remains under the landlord's control, but it's considered the tenant's property. How Section 8 Works for Landlords. Section 8 helps low income families afford housing through a government voucher program. Unlike most eviction cases, where a landlord is required to provide a 30 or 60 day termination notice, a tenant on Section 8 must be given a 90 day termination notice. The Section 8 process is fairly straightforward. The HelloSection8 blog provides a wealth of resources for Section 8 landlords, and those considering participation in the Section 8 program. The Section 8 landlord cannot charge Section 8 tenants more than other tenants. To discriminate against a Section 8 neighbor without cause is a direct violation of the Fair Housing Laws. Section 8 Landlord Forms Home Forward forms for participating landlords are available here in downloadable digital format. Home / Section 8 Landlord Resources. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote Wednesday to draft an ordinance that would bar landlords from establishing blanket bans on tenants with Section 8 vouchers. That means landlords can’t advertise “No Section 8” or treat Section 8 recipients differently. “Normally, renters give you an application, you run … While I recognize that there are many reasons you could find to deny housing to a voucher holder, I hope you will see that those kinds of reasons tend to deprive folks with few opportunities and reward those who have known only privilege. Accordingly, the housing authority may only accept Section 8 applications during certain times of the year. Landlords may wish to terminate a Section 8 tenancy in Los Angeles, California at the expiration of the rental term. Section 8 Housing in California Being elderly, having a disability or lower income does not have to impose a negative effect on you or your family's well being. Landlords in California and most other states have the right to evict their tenants for cause, including tenants who pay their rent with the aid of Section 8 vouchers. SCCHA works with more than 9,000 property owners in Santa Clara County who rent to about 17,000 participant households. gosection8.com is a website for landlords, tenants, and housing authorities who particpate in the section 8 program. Yes. Resources for Public Housing and Section 8 Information Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidelines —Find out if you qualify for public housing programs and learn more about them. Everyone is entitled to provide what is best for the family, and that includes being able to provide a safe living environment suitable for … You should read the local newspaper to find out when the application period has opened. This In most places in the U.S., this will be 3X. It’s accomplished by putting a minimum income requirement of some multiplier of the rent. Section 8 will determine how much they will pay for each voucher based on a number of factors. If you’re looking to learn how to become a Section 8 landlord, here’s a quick … But Section 8 tenants come with other risks as well. California Tenant’s Guide —Learn about the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords in California, including evictions, security deposits, landlord obligations, and more. We reported in July about a similar local ordinance passed in Oakland, which will now be superseded by this statewide law. How to Become a Section 8 Landlord in Five Steps. If the law protects people who have Section 8 vouchers, it means that you can’t turn away applicants simply because they have Section 8 vouchers. It doesn’t mean that you can’t reject them for the same valid reasons you would reject other applicants, such as a negative prior landlord history or a problematic criminal background check. Additionally, Section 8 offers free advertising for approved rental units. 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