Who pays for damages on Section 8?

[Randy Duncan]

I have some SFR rentals leased through Section 8. If a unit is damaged by renters, who pays the bill, renters or local HUD organization? I can't seem to find the specific answer in the landlord information packet. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for any insight

[Bill S.]

Short answer - tenant pays.

Long answer - landlord pays because tenant has no money to pay that's why they are on section 8. Landlord needs to make repairs to pass inspection to re-rent and can't get blood from a stone so landlord opens their checkbook and pays.