With a section 8 voucher can an apartment community rent to me

Question

even though I have bad credit from unfortunate circumstances? I once lost a job and had to break a lease. I paid all monies due but the apartment community started demanding that I pay them an extra months rent plus a 200 "cleaning charges". Since I had no job I was not able to pay them and they put it on my credit report and sent it to a collection agency. I applied for section 8 due to extremely low income. Now that I have the S8 will an apt complex rent to me with the debt on my credit

Answer 1

Even with a section 8 voucher you can be denied an apartment just like everyone else. Almost all properties now a days do credit checks. If you live in an area where there is a low vacancy rate it might be really hard to find a unit. You might want to bring up you situation to the renting agent while looking at the unit. Being up front about your situation could work to your benefit. At least they won't think you are trying to hide something from them. Nevertheless, you may want to talk with the property that is giving you a bad rap. See if you can get them to lower what you owe them or set up a manageable payment plan.  

Answer 2

You section 8 status has no bearing on your credit report.  You can be denied just like any other tenant.

Answer 3

Well, can't hurt to ask.  Your credit is still going to be lousy, and even with section 8 some places may not rent to you based on that.  Furthermore, some places don't like dealing with section 8 and won't consider section 8 rentals at all.  

Still, with section 8 some (maybe all) of your rent is guaranteed so if a place does accept section 8 maybe they'll take you even with bad credit (since most or the rent is guaranteed regardless).  Anyhow, as I said - cant hurt to ask.  Also, if you get turned down a few places just keep calling, you may just need to call lots of places to find a few you can work with.

Answer 4

I have very bad credit and I have only a few people who accept sect. 8 that will refuse to rent to someone with bad credit. HOWEVER, every complex will do a credit check and some places will not rent to you even on sect 8 if you have bad credit. Some require you to pay a hefty deposit. For instance, if NORMAL rent (without sect. 8) is $500, you may have a deposit of up to $1000. (especially since your credit report shows you owe rent to an former landlord. Breaking a lease will hurt you too. Just because you have sect. 8 doesn't mean you will easily get an apt. Section 8 is ..to be honest..a pain in the rear and a lot of landlords will not deal with them. They are very picky. My dad tried to be a sect. 8 landlord but by the time he "fullfilled" their requirements, it would have costed him thousands of dollars to meet their standards. A lot of landlords will not do that. Why should they shell out $3000 for "sect. 8 standards" when they could rent to someone who doesn't need assistance. Sounds back but that's the way it is.  Gl

Answer 5

An apartment complex CAN rent to you, if it desires, but is under no obligation to do so.  Sec 8 voucher holders are subject to the same credit criteria which is applied to those without vouchers.

Your best bet is to find a very small complex or duplex privately owned, where the landlord may be more sympathetic to listening to your situation relative to credit.