Would you recommend rent on section 8?

Question

Hi, I'm planning to rent on section 8 here in San Antonio, Texas. Would you recommend rent on section 8? How about if the tenant brake the house, section 8 cover for those things? Where I can check how much section 8 pay?

Is there a way that we can select the best tenant?

Thank You

Is there a way that we can select the best tenant?

Thank You

Travis Biziorek · Answer

Hey Jason,

I own 12 doors in Detroit, and 3 of them are rented to Section 8 tenants, so I’ve had firsthand experience with the program. It can be great, but it’s not for everyone.

Pros:

•	Guaranteed rent payments – The biggest perk. When a large portion (or all) of the rent is paid by the government, you eliminate a major risk.

•	High demand – There are more tenants looking for Section 8 housing than available properties, which makes filling vacancies easier.

•	Longer tenant stays – Section 8 tenants tend to stay put since finding another landlord who accepts vouchers isn’t always easy.

•	Potentially higher rents – In some markets, Section 8 can pay above-market rent, though it depends on the local housing authority.

Cons:

•	Lower tenant quality (on average) – Not all Section 8 tenants are bad, but they often have lower incomes and credit scores, requiring careful screening.

•	More red tape – Initial inspections, annual renewals, and additional paperwork can slow things down.

•	Slower leasing process – It typically takes longer to place a Section 8 tenant due to inspections and approval delays.

•	Neighborhood impact – Too much Section 8 in one area can hold back neighborhood improvement if landlords don’t properly screen tenants.

Would I recommend it? It depends on your goals and risk tolerance. I personally like having a mix of cash and Section 8 tenants in my portfolio. If you’re careful about tenant selection and understand the trade-offs, it can work really well.

I’ve written a lot more about this—if you want more insights, feel free to reach out and I can point you to the right resources.

Best,

Travis

Matthew Bernal · Answer

Hey Jason, great questions! Renting to Section 8 tenants in San Antonio, TX can be a solid strategy if managed properly. Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Pros of Renting to Section 8 Tenants

1️⃣ Guaranteed Rent Payments – The Housing Authority pays a portion (sometimes all) of the rent directly to you, reducing the risk of non-payment.
2️⃣ High Demand – There’s a strong demand for Section 8 housing, so you’ll often have a pool of tenants to choose from.
3️⃣ Longer Tenancies – Many Section 8 tenants stay long-term, reducing turnover costs.

❌ Cons & Considerations

• Inspections Required – The property must pass HUD inspections before move-in and annually.
• Tenant Quality Varies – Like with any rental, screening is crucial (more on that below).
• Potential for Property Damage – Section 8 does NOT cover tenant-caused damages (but here’s how to protect yourself).

🔹 What Happens if a Tenant Damages the Property?

• Section 8 doesn’t cover damages, but you can require a security deposit, just like with any other tenant.
• Charge for repairs – If the tenant causes damage beyond normal wear and tear, you can bill them or deduct from the deposit.
• Lease enforcement – If damages occur repeatedly, you can evict under Texas law.

🔍 How to Check Section 8 Payment Rates in San Antonio

👉 Go to the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) website – They publish a Payment Standard Chart with the maximum allowed rents by bedroom size.
📌 Here’s the official link to check rates: SAHA Payment Standards (or search "San Antonio Housing Authority Payment Standards” on Google).

🔑 How to Select the Best Section 8 Tenants

Even though you can’t discriminate based on Section 8 status, you CAN still screen tenants carefully:
✅ Check rental history – Look for evictions, past landlord references, and late payments.
✅ Look at their portion of rent – If a tenant pays only $50/month, they may have less financial responsibility than someone paying $500.
✅ Require a security deposit – Helps protect against damage.
✅ Meet the tenant in person – See how they present themselves.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Renting to Section 8 tenants in San Antonio can be a great strategy if you screen properly and understand the rules. Make sure your property meets HUD standards, screen applicants like any other tenant, and be proactive in protecting your investment.

Hope this helps, Jason! Let me know if you have any other questions. 👍🔥

Jill Sallis · Answer

Section 8 can be great for owners who understand the process and the inspection(s). There are two different housing authorities here- bexar county and San Antonio. Depending on location, will determine with housing authority you go through.

1.  You will have to go through housing inspections and pass them prior to a tenant being placed in your property. 2.  Sometimes the wait time for the inspections can be weeks, depending on how busy the Housing Authority is. 3. Payment to owners can be delayed, and that can be a few months.

4.  Make sure you screen your tenant very well to ensure that they can be placed in the property… Obviously income won't be a factor because you're gonna get it from the Housing Authority, but look at their background history & rental history.

5.  You can make the resident carry liability insurance for the property because damage is not covered by the Housing Authority.

6.  They still have to provide a deposit.

7. Also, something to consider-  if the tenant isn't truthful on their profile to the housing authority, the housing authority is going to claw back 100% of what they paid you. And you as the owner are injured, financially. As an owner, Just be knowledgeable on the process and understanding of what the housing authority will require from you.

I Wish you much success!

Matthew Bernal · Answer

@Lisa Choi, thank you! Gotta keep the reader engaged!

Lisa Choi · Answer

What a perfect response! And so visually pleasing!

Brandon Campbell · Answer

In Sacramento I had my property management rent to section 8 tenants.   When a couple of windows got broke, we sent repair company out to fix.  The property management sent the bill to the section 8 program and the expense was covered. My experience with this program has been fairly smooth. They do yearly inspections of my property to make sure there are no health and safety issues.

Matthew Bernal · Answer

Hey @Jason Lopez! Always happy to help! I know a few great hard money lenders I can refer you to if you want!

Scott Scoville · Answer

Section 8 is like anything, you still need to vet your prospective tenants. There are good Section 8 tenants, and bad ones. I've had a ton of great Section 8 tenants in Sacramento, CA. Good people, and they typically stay for a long time. Ensure that your rentals are clean and safe, and you'll get the best residents.

Mackaylee Beach · Answer

I recommend studying and familiarizing yourself with the Section 8 process. Understanding the requirements can help you decide if this is a path you wish to pursue.

Jill Sallis · Answer

@Jason Lopez hi Jason! That's not a dumb question. Liability insurance is renters insurance… You want to make sure that they are covered.  as a property manager, I tell them to go where they have auto insurance and add on renters insurance for  $100,000.  if you have an LLC, you would want to consider having that insurance also add you on as an additional interest… Because you wanna make sure that that is staying through the lease terms.  if they cancel that policy midway through or they don't pay their monthly premiums, you will get notified. You want to do everything you can to protect yourself.

Would you recommend rent on section 8?

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