Screening Your Section 8 Tenants
As a landlord, if you have not worked with Section 8 before, it can seem a little overwhelming. There really isn’t anyone that can walk you through the process and no good information exists on-line (except maybe the Section 8 posts here). And to top it off, the Section 8 tenants don’t know much more about the program than you do.
A common question is “How do I screen Section 8 Tenants”. That is pretty simple. You screen Section 8 tenants just like screen tenants that do not have subsidized rent, with a couple changes:
- Most Minnesota Section 8 tenants have to pay a small percentage of their rent (10-25%). Very few have their entire rent paid by the government. Consequently, the tenant needs to have some other source of income. Where are they going to get the $100-250 per month that they have to pay out of their pocket? Plus, how are they going to pay for utilities, if they are not included in the rent? Weigh your decision heavily on the fact that a large portion of the rent is guaranteed from the government, but be concerned about the remainder.
- Call their Section 8 coordinator to confirm they are able to rent your apartment for the proposed rent. Confirm they are able to move from their current residence. You don’t want to make the same tenant screening mistake I made.
- If their credit is bad or non-existent, confirm that they have income to pay their portion of the rent and then consider waiving that requirement of your rental criteria.
- Confirm they are able to pay the damage deposit upon move-in. They may need to go to emergency assistance to get the deposit, so have them get a letter to confirm the subsidy.
Screening Section 8 tenants is just like screening anyone else with a few additional steps. There is no need to over think the process.
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Wonderful help. Thank you.
Over the past 6-7 years, I have had a number of very positive experiences with Section 8 tenants. I screen all tenants with the same process as well, regardless of section 8 or non-section 8. Thanks for this information Scott.