Can a duplex or triplex be used for section 8?

Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
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Can a duplex or triplex be used for section 8?

Richard Pallarino
Member since 2020 · 31 posts · 10 votes

Hi y'all,

I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Thanks,

Rich

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Gloria N GearBusiness Member
Realtor · Indianapolis IN · Member since 2018 · 464 posts · 339 votes
3y

Yes!  Several of my investors like to use Harvey Levin for property manager for their section 8 houses in Indianapolis.  He has been in the business for 30 years and very knowledgable about all things section 8.  PM me for his contact info if that is an area you are interested.

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  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    4y

    Absolutely. I hear there are one or two locations in Texas that discriminate against assisted housing vouchers. Section 8 and similar programs are federal.

    2Reply
  • Juwane D Brown
    Realtor · CO · Member since 2019 · 18 posts · 4 votes
    4y

    Yes, its a federal program

    1Reply
  • Nick Shri
    Rental Property Investor · VA · Member since 2020 · 218 posts · 133 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Richard Pallarino:

    Hi y'all,

    I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

    Thanks,

    Rich

    Yes! Talk to PM in the area you are buying and ask them whether they will support filing application for Sec 8 for your property, and whether they oversee Sec 8 properties.
    1Reply
  • Gloria N GearBusiness Member
    Realtor · Indianapolis IN · Member since 2018 · 464 posts · 339 votes
    3y

    Yes!  Several of my investors like to use Harvey Levin for property manager for their section 8 houses in Indianapolis.  He has been in the business for 30 years and very knowledgable about all things section 8.  PM me for his contact info if that is an area you are interested.

    3Reply
  • Peter Falk
    Real Estate Broker · Madison, WI · Member since 2015 · 118 posts · 60 votes
    3y

    I'm in Madison, WI and been a few years since I had a Sec 8 tenant (in a duplex).  I assume as a federal program, it's similar in all locations, but we had the program managed by a few local resources (Community Development Authority for Madison properties and Dane County Housing Authority for communities around Madison.  We (and I assume everywhere) have a local housing inspector with those programs tour the property to make sure it meets basic safety standards (handrails, smoke alarms, etc), and they also reinspect annually, so before you get ready to lease to a Sec 8 tenant, would talk with the local dept. for a list of their most common failed items to make sure it'll pass.

    You also sign the rental paperwork that Sec 8 uses and know some local landlords didn't love that aspect of being told what lease form to use.

    1Reply
  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Pallarino:

    Hi y'all,

    I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

    Thanks,

    Rich


     Yes, you can! I do that here in Columbus, Ohio

    [email protected]614-541-8475Podcast Guest on Show My Job Laid Me Off, So I Replaced My Salary with Rentals
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  • Linda LabbePro Member
    Investor · North Bay, Ontario · Member since 2015 · 709 posts · 262 votes
    3y

    each unit is individually inspected and if they pass yes it can  many section 8 properties are part of multi family units

    1Reply
  • Michael LeesonBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Madison, WI · Member since 2019 · 64 posts · 83 votes
    3y

    This is great info!

    0Reply
  • Carla Kordab
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 80 posts · 48 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Pallarino:

    Hi y'all,

    I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

    Thanks,

    Rich

     For sure, you can use @Shane Kelly 's help for more insight

    2Reply
  • Shane Kelly
    Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2021 · 383 posts · 361 votes
    3y

    In Cleveland it's very common. The units do have to be in or above market conditions though and must be maintained there, which can be a headache if you get a problem tenant.

    2Reply
  • Corina Eufinger
    Rental Property Investor · Oconomowoc, WI · Member since 2016 · 996 posts · 432 votes
    3y

    I would definitely do some research on how the programs operate in each city you are considering. Enforcement and rules can vary dramatically even though it is a federal program.  I.e. Lake County Section 8 holds the landlord responsible for everything including tenant damage. I once had a landlord who had to PAY SOMEONE to clean an OCCUPIED apartment because it failed housing for cleanliness and Lake County placed the responsibility on him.  In Kenosha County they remove the liability from the landlord for tenant damage and cleanliness. I've had tenant damage that they require the tenant to fix or pay us for within 30 days.  Some Housing Communities can be more of an ally to you than others so research other people's experiences in those areas.  

    0Reply
  • Simon Ashbaugh
    Realtor · Columbus Ohio, Cleveland Ohio · Member since 2022 · 849 posts · 830 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Pallarino:

    Hi y'all,

    I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

    Thanks,

    Rich


     Yes this will work great in Columbus OH and Cleveland OH

    3Reply
  • David Leggett
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2018 · 227 posts · 133 votes
    3y
    It's a very much needed program in Cleveland, especially after the pandemic where rental demand was at such a high that the vast majority of investors I worked with would rather put a quick cash tenant in there in a few weeks, then wait for the slow Section 8 process, which can last 2-3 months.  But I would get calls every day from people looking for Section 8 properties, but there just weren't many owner's offering it.

    Here are some quick tips that can help you.  If done right, it can be a great program for the investor and community.

    1)  Find a reputable property management company that has a lot of experience with the Section 8 leasing and inspection process.  I've worked at several that were awful at this and made the process longer, and sometimes ruined the entire leases with their incompetence.  

    2)  Understand it's going to take 2-3 months and that the people leasing the property understand that, but that's where good property management comes in to be able communicate these things effectively with the owner / tenants.

    3)  Have your contractors go over the Section 8 inspection guidelines while fixing up the property to make sure everything is up to code so you can hopefully get it approved the first time and save time / money.
    1Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    3y

    You can but finding good S8 tenants is not that easy

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    0Reply
  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    @Richard Pallarino

    Yes. You can rent out as many units section 8 as you want. As long as they meet section 8’s guidelines. I own a sIngle-family I rent out via section 8. It can be a tedious process, but once you understand how the system works it’s fairly easy to navigate. 

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  • Tom Dickerson
    Rental Property Investor · Albuquerque NM · Member since 2021 · 13 posts · 9 votes
    3y

    Hey, I'm a PM in Albuquerque NM. We manage a lot of 4-plex buildings and you can definitely use a duplex or triplex for section 8. There is such a need for housing, the section 8 offices love any well cared properties. I would definitely recommend finding a PM to help you with these. 

    1Reply
  • Bob S.
    Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Pallarino:

    Hi y'all,

    I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

    Thanks,

    Rich

     Of course, HOWEVER You are no ready to buy ,,,yet. Connect with someone doing deals, learn then apply what you learn, DO NOT BUY ANYTHING, YET unless you connect with a team, do not try and go it alone, it will not end well, 

    Good luck 

    0Reply
  • Bob S.
    Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Drew Sygit:

    You can but finding good S8 tenants is not that easy


     incorrect, its actually easier finding a good sec 8 tenant vs a good cash tenant, and more secure also,  

    0Reply
  • Bob S.
    Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @David Leggett:
    It's a very much needed program in Cleveland, especially after the pandemic where rental demand was at such a high that the vast majority of investors I worked with would rather put a quick cash tenant in there in a few weeks, then wait for the slow Section 8 process, which can last 2-3 months.  But I would get calls every day from people looking for Section 8 properties, but there just weren't many owner's offering it.

    Here are some quick tips that can help you.  If done right, it can be a great program for the investor and community.

    1)  Find a reputable property management company that has a lot of experience with the Section 8 leasing and inspection process.  I've worked at several that were awful at this and made the process longer, and sometimes ruined the entire leases with their incompetence.  

    2)  Understand it's going to take 2-3 months and that the people leasing the property understand that, but that's where good property management comes in to be able communicate these things effectively with the owner / tenants.

    3)  Have your contractors go over the Section 8 inspection guidelines while fixing up the property to make sure everything is up to code so you can hopefully get it approved the first time and save time / money.

     I have been dealing with CMHA for about 10 years, 100s and 100s and 100s of move in and outs, Yes its a bit of a headache , HOWEVER if you screen correctly, they can stay for years, and each month you get paid . 

    1Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    3y

    @Bob S. Respectfully disagree concerning the Detroit market. 

    Every landlord here wants them, so demand is higher than supply.

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9460 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Bob S.
    Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Drew Sygit:

    @Bob S. Respectfully disagree concerning the Detroit market. 

    Every landlord here wants them, so demand is higher than supply.


     I am in the Cleveland market assumed it was about the same climate .. 

    0Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Richard Pallarino:

    Hi y'all,

    I am wondering, can I buy a duplex or triplex and get it section 8 approved to then accept section 8 vouchers? Looking to do this in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

    Thanks,

    Rich


     Absolutely. We have 100's of Section 8 duplexes in Cleveland. Section 8 duplexes are a great income source.

    0Reply
  • Timothy VanWingerden
    Real Estate Broker · Lexington, KY · Member since 2017 · 131 posts · 129 votes
    3y

    Section 8 vouchers can absolutely be used in Kentucky. Just need to pass the yearly inspection. 

    0Reply
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