State Specific Question About: NORTH CAROLINA (NC) I'm a pretty new landlord and Im seriosly considering venturing into section 8 land! I have several properties in lower income areas and usually have difficulty collecting the rent 'on time'. I think this will give me more guaranteed rental income and also assist my current and future tenants with paying the rent on time. Any advice for a newbie as far as pros/cons, how to begin the process? --71.75.xxx.xxx

My suggestion is to be careful and screen well like you would all other tenants. --76.226.xx.xx

I have rented to setion 8 as well and the problem I found was that the rent rates were very under market. The house they wanted to rent easily rented for 995 for 4 years prior no problems and section 8 put a fair rent on it or like 820 per month. And when I got the paperwork they made it very clear I would be prosicuted if I charged a .01 more for the place "having them pay the difference" Check it out maybe just in my area but mine is not paid for so I had to do what I had to do. MDuke --70.247.xxx.xxx

I have been in and out of sec8 about 20 years, do a lot of research on here using the search mode, get the sec8 bible, visit housing court any chance you have - you will be there for any tenant but almost always with sec8 and they get a free lawyer - screen, screen screen - sec8 only helps with rent they have nothing to do with tenant background. Take the free classes, and then again for a followup - they are free, then while you are at the office determine if the finance manager and other case workers are helpful, if they act like you just floated in from outer space your whole relationship will be like this, do not do what is not comfortable for you, you can always tell a prospect you are not participating in housing subsidies, an easy way is only rent month-2-month. If the staff at your local office is helpful then hopefully it will all go well, it is not for beginners, but once you are comfy some better sec8 tenants will stay 5plus years. Find out about your local dog laws and what your insurance carrier will accept, charge for the background/credit check, most of the hoodrats will walk away from a pay service. --99.128.xx.xx

Here in Los Angeles, the Federal Government gives money to the States, and in turn they hand out money to Cities, then landlords. Along the way, each government agency takes a cut of the funds. So, when Los Angeles landlords wanted to stop accepting section 8 tenants, which ment the city would loose funds, they passed a law (that stood for 4 years) you couldn't opt out of the program. If a section 8 tenant moved, then I had to re-rent the unit to only another section 8 tenant. Also, if I'm going to evict for cause, I still have to give them a 90 day notice and during that time the city won't pay a dime towards the rent. So if I accept a section 8 tenant, I know that I'm going to loose money months worth of rent -- doing business with the city/state/feds. After an investigation we learned the city of los angeles was corupt and section 8 funds were used for other things and 150 families got put on the street to the city could pocket those funds. Shame on them.... --98.119.xxx.xx

Dealing with the Sec-8 hsg office is very hard for new LLs. Dealing with the 'professional' tenants that come with Sec-8 is even worse. Before you do ANYTHING, do several searches on the Q&A link above bu subject(section 8, Sec-8, HUD, etc) then if that isn't enough info, change the 'subject' to 'author' and type in Lynda--and you'll see a good amount of what I've written on the issue. --24.155.xxx.xxx

Generally it isn't a program for novices. So much of whether or not it works depends on how your local housing authority is. Mine is terrible - which is why I currently don't have any Section 8 tenants in town. --64.12.xxx.xx

i think its a good program...to avoid legally.they get free atty to fight u in court and a free appeal.housing can reduce rent during lease and u cant do anything.tenant can move out during lease and u cant do much bcs they are probably judgment proof (poor).a lot of s8 prospects are lousy prospects.a few guys make a buck at it here.u need to deal with a good hiousing authority.some are not.ask around.y need to screen very carefully.credit to see if they were evicted etc.ck police to see if they are criminal,druggies etc.court,last 2 landlords.know your state laws.read the section8bible,available here.i try to AVOID IT.YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. --208.58.x.xx

Section 8 rent is no more guaranteed than a non-section 8 tenant. There are a number of reasons which can cause the housing authority to stop your section 8 rent payment (or even decrease it). "Guaranteed" is a myth. --74.8.xx.x