Re Section 8 housing?

Question

I have a four-plex. Normally, the utilities are not included. If I choose to rent to ONE Section 8 woman/child can I bump-up the rent to include the utilities, or do they give an allowance to her, as well as the rent?

Besides the possibility of getting saddled with derilicts what is the drawback to a Section 8 tenant?

I will be renting to a good friend and if Section 8 denied her I'd give her free rent and some support anyway for a year or so. But by trying for food stamps, Section 8, WIC, etc., etc. I'll be less out-of-pocket.

Answer 1

usually the way section 8 works is the "client" will get an "voucher" for housing. this voucher amount will be determined by the clients situation, and the cities resources.  so if the client has a job and 1 kid, she may get less than no job and 3 kids.  

if the rent is 800 and the voucher is 600 then the client is responsible for the extra 200 each month.

section 8 tips.

call your section 8 office,  ask them what the max rents they will pay for apartments are.  they will often request that all utilities be included.  they will then give you the max numbers.  if the client has a 100% voucher, i would include the utilities and bump the rent up to the max amount for that size unit.

in most cases you can still accept or deny an application.  so you can try your best to weed out derilicts.  but becarefull not to violate fair housing laws.

often it takes several years to get approved for section 8.  but as a landlord you will get your rent money like clockwork.