Section 8 rentals in Baltimore

[Raj Balakrishnan]

Have 2 properties in Baltimore. What is the process to rent them out to Section 8 Tenants.  Wondering if anyone can provide some pointers/ guidance on how to go about renting to Section 8 tenants in Baltimore. Thanks .

[James Mc Ree]

The process of finding a tenant is identical to finding a traditional tenant: market, vet prospects and choose your tenant. Check law to determine if you are allowed to discriminate by income source if you really only want Section 8 tenants. There may be a Section 8 property list you can get onto, but my experience in PA with that is it is mostly a list of pits of despair. HUD provides the list to their Section 8 clients for properties accepting Section 8, but it doesn't have a good reputation.

[Jeremy Anan]

@Raj Balakrishnan - List your properties here... https://www.affordablehousing.com/baltimore-md/

The paid plan gives you lots of options.

Good luck.

[David Hathaway]

@Raj Balakrishnan happy to introduce you to a local leasing agent who only does section 8 rentals and has a great reputation and rents most of our section 8 properties. The only thing you should be aware of is there is a section 8 specific inspection prior to move in that usually takes 1 month to complete so best case scenario is usually a section 8 tenant moves in in 2 months often its closer to 3 months if you fail the inspection and have to be reinspected which is common. Often the inspections are very picky and they happen every 12 months so although section 8 tenants normally stay longer then market tenants it sometimes feels like a built in vacancy of 1 month every time they do the annual inspection depending on how much your contractor charges. 

Hope that helps Dave

[JD Martin]

@Mark Cruse knows Baltimore very well and can probably give you good advice. 

[Mark Cruse]

Quote from @JD Martin:

@Mark Cruse knows Baltimore very well and can probably give you good advice. 

 Thanks Man! LOL 

Actually I know some parts of Bmore where I have invested before. Many areas I dont know. However, I understand the dynamics of Section and and low income areas. I understand what mentality it takes to win and how itś not really doable for certain mindsets. 

[Mark Cruse]

There has been some decent advice presented here in general.  Aside from the inspections and the bureaucracy of a landlord hostile city its no different than any other tenant; with a caveat. You must know what the hell you are doing and if you dont, its critical that you solicit information from people who do. Itś a great program if you approach it with intelligence, logic and a sense of human decency. You have to know how to screen. That can be an art form all by itself. If this is not executed properly it can be DIRE.  One of the biggest mistakes is landlords take anyone and feel they cant lose because of a steady check. If they are inept or lack the ability to operate in this space it takes them down. Make sure you have the right voucher holder. Once you have this your mentality has to be right. You need to have some ability to respect and understand the culture you are catering too. This goes a very long way in growing and maintaining mutual respect. If your tenants hate you or see you as an azzhole, it wont end well.  So secure a great tenant, understand the characteristics of the community and build an outstanding working relationship!  With that it can be the best investing experience you can ever achieve. As aforementioned; its crucial you understand the advice you are absorbing. So many operate in this space successfully with little to no controversy. Itś conducive to model those mindsets as opposed to the ones who miserably fail at it.  

[Saeed Jacob]

Quote from @David Hathaway:

@Raj Balakrishnan happy to introduce you to a local leasing agent who only does section 8 rentals and has a great reputation and rents most of our section 8 properties. The only thing you should be aware of is there is a section 8 specific inspection prior to move in that usually takes 1 month to complete so best case scenario is usually a section 8 tenant moves in in 2 months often its closer to 3 months if you fail the inspection and have to be reinspected which is common. Often the inspections are very picky and they happen every 12 months so although section 8 tenants normally stay longer then market tenants it sometimes feels like a built in vacancy of 1 month every time they do the annual inspection depending on how much your contractor charges. 

Hope that helps Dave

 hey david i would appreciate to connect with you and exchange resources as i am in the section 8 rental space myseld and would love to meet your leasing agent that specializes in that niche