Teo Zhenjie has been showing landlords how to manage their tenants and rental properties effectively on Propertydo.com http://www.propertydo.com/ - Visit his website today for step-by-step real estate guides, free resources and forms.
If you own rental properties in the United States, then find out if becoming a Section 8 landlord is right now and learn how to effectively manage your tenants who are part of this rent subsidy program.
Also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8 is a government subsidy program started in 1974 to help make housing payments more affordable for people with low income. Program participants typically pay around 30 to 40 percent of their monthly income towards the rent and the housing voucher will pay for the rest.
What are the Steps You Need to Take to Become a Section 8 Landlord?
To kick thing off, you will screen a potential section 8 tenant just like you would handle any other tenant. Do realise that you are not obligated to rent to the prospective tenant just because they are on Section 8.
Once you have decided that the tenant is suitable, you should contact the Section 8 office in your area. They must then make sure that your rental property meets their housing standard and requirements.
The outside of the building will be inspected, as well as the plumbing and heating systems. Each room will be checked for its safety, cleanliness and condition. The inspector will use a standard checklist to carry out his inspection.
The Section 8 office will also have to verify that you are renting the home for a reasonable amount comparable to similar homes in the area. The tenant's income will be evaluated to make sure he or she is able to afford your rent payments.
Once all these steps are completed, you are ready to sign the contract with the Section 8 office. You'll also need to sign a lease agreement with the tenant. After the tenant moves in, the Section 8 office will send you a check monthly for its share of the rental payment. You will be responsible for collecting the remaining amount from the tenant directly.
Your property must be re-inspected each year to stay in the program. If the property does not meet Section 8 office criteria at the time of the re-inspection, repairs must be made in the allotted time frame. Otherwise you will be dropped from program and your Section 8 payments will stop.
Other Important Things You Must Know about Being a Section 8 Landlord
As a Section 8 landlord, there are some things you can decide at your discretion, just like how you will handle any other non Section 8 tenant.
For example, you are not required to accept pets on the property, unless the pet is a service animal for a disabled person. If a Section 8 tenant fails to pay his/her portion of the rent or causes other problems, you can have the tenant evicted just like any other tenant.
However, there are some restrictions on things you can do as a Section 8 landlord. For example, you cannot rent month-to-month to a Section 8 tenant because your initial lease has to be a fixed term tenancy of 1 year.
You may also collect a security deposit, but it cannot exceed the cost of 1 month's rent. Finally you can increase the rent after 1 year, but it may not rise above what the Section 8 office considers to be fair and reasonable for properties similar to yours in the surrounding area.
Teo Zhenjie has been showing landlords how to manage their tenants and rental property effectively on Propertydo http://www.propertydo.com/ - To learn more important tips on section 8 landlord, visit his website today for step-by-step real estate guides, free resources and forms.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Housing Repairs And The Landlords Responsibility
- Landlords Insurance is Just a Few Simple Steps
- Landlords Qualify for Section 8 – Why it is a Good Option for Renters and Proprietors
- Section 8 Landlord Guide on How to Manage Your Tenants Easily
- Expert London Solicitor’s Guide for Landlords in 2008 – During the Current Economical Climate!
- How Landlords Can Qualify for Section 8
- Do You Want To Be A Section 8 Landlord?
- Miami Real Estate - Section 8 Rental Process




No Credit Check Florida houses and homes
By: ownerfinance | 16/11/2009Explanation of no credit check houses and homes available in Florida
2010 Real Estate Market Outlook
By: Melissa Chappell | 16/11/2009Investment approaches will evolve from excessive speculative buying into strategies with improved stability and market demand. Long term investments and buy-to-let ventures are expected to be the strongest growth areas, with fewer risks involved and excellent gains potential due to the exceptionally low priced investment options available in both emerging and established markets.
First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension: More Fuel for the Charleston, SC Market
By: Lee Keadle | 16/11/2009We’ve had great news in the housing market this past week! The $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit will be extended through April 30, 2010. This extension is good news especially for first time home buyers taking advantage of the credit. This article includes more details about qualification.
Public Schools in Mount Pleasant SC: A Driving Force in Home Prices
By: Lee Keadle | 16/11/2009Mount Pleasant, South Carolina has the best public schools in all of Charleston. Because Mount Pleasant has only one high school, I’ve included in this article more specific information for the elementary and middle schools so that you can keep it in mind when comparing homes.
Mount Pleasant SC Golfing Communities
By: Lee Keadle | 16/11/2009With four golfing communities, Mount Pleasant SC boasts some of the best (and most popular) golf courses in Charleston. I have included in this article information about Dunes West, Rivertowne Country Club, Charleston National, and Snee Farm.
Many would be interested in how to go about buying and selling on property for profit
By: Kate Faulkner | 16/11/2009Buying and selling for a profit used to be ‘easy’. Through the millennium you could buy a property and be guaranteed it would make money in a few years and in some cases, a few months. Some people (and mortgage lenders!) seemed to think house prices would continue to rise, others warned of a housing bubble, but didn’t seem to be able to accurately predict when it would burst. However, burst it did, starting in the States and hitting the UK very hard.
Where Are Real Estate Values Going Now?
By: Steve Gillman | 16/11/2009A look at the factors that affect real estate values, and what we might see in the future.
What to consider when investing or buying overseas
By: Kate Faulkner | 16/11/2009Many people just ‘fall’ into buying property abroad. Either they go to a show and like the look of the fancy developer photos and get sucked in by the patter of the clever salesmen (usually ex time share sales people!) or they go on holiday, meet someone in a bar, get invited to a ‘free’ event and with little due diligence hand over tens of thousands of pounds. Don’t let this happen to YOU!
What is Rental Property Depreciation and Why it is Vital to You
By: Teo Zhenjie | 13/07/2009 | Real EstateIf you are a landlord or property manager, knowing how rental property depreciation works is vital. Learn how to calculate depreciation and how it affects your rental property and capital gains taxes.
Snag Your Property Manager Jobs Easily with These Proven Steps
By: Teo Zhenjie | 09/07/2009 | Real EstateIf you are considering property manager jobs, then you should know that your education, training, and work experience are crucial. Find out what is required for your property management career today.
Uncover Which Property Management Jobs are Perfect for You Today
By: Teo Zhenjie | 09/07/2009 | Real EstateAre you a newcomer to property management jobs? Then discover what are the different types of property management positions and how you can climb the career ladder in the shortest time possible.
Will Property Management Associations be Beneficial for You?
By: Teo Zhenjie | 09/07/2009 | Real EstateProperty management associations often have much to offer property managers including training, networking and certification opportunities. Find out if they are worth your time and money right now.
Snag Your Investment Property Mortgages Quickly and Easily Today
By: Teo Zhenjie | 01/06/2009 | MortgageGood preparation is essential when it comes to getting the best deals for your investment property mortgages. Discover the tried and tested ways to get the best terms for your mortgage loans today.
What is Section 8 and How it Affects You as a U.S. Landlord
By: Teo Zhenjie | 01/06/2009 | Real EstateIf you are a landlord in U.S. but don't know what is section 8, you may be missing out a lot of potential tenants and stable rental income. Learn about this important government housing program now.
Master Your Landlord Tennant Law Quickly and Easily Right Now
By: Teo Zhenjie | 01/06/2009 | Real EstateKnowing your landlord tennant law is the first crucial step for making sure that you have a smooth, trouble-free tenancy. Find out what are the legal duties and rights of a landlord and tenant today.
Financing Rental Properties? Learn How to Shrink Your Loan Now
By: Teo Zhenjie | 30/05/2009 | MortgageEvery investor wants a good deal when it comes to financing rental properties. Learn how to shrink your mortgage loan and slash the costs of purchasing rental properties with these proven strategies.