Over zealous section 8 inspector

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Over zealous section 8 inspector

Laurence K.
Investor · Padstow New South Wales, Australia · Member since 2015 · 38 posts · 27 votes

I have a house in Toledo, Ohio that I’m trying to get over the line with section 8 inspection.

My contractor (who I know and trust) did significant work to ensure the house was up to code.

The first scheduled inspection was cancelled by the inspector stating there were too many deficiencies, I endeavoured to reach out for details of the deficiencies but was met with silence and unable to get any info.

The second inspection came back with a list of 18 items, some of which I consider petty, such as a small groundhog hole in the backyard.

She is also asking for “Front attic window area and front fence needs a full house lead clearance examination by a licensed lead inspector “. This house HAS A CURRENT lead safe certificate issued by the Toledo Health Department. Is that demand even legal?

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Ryan Pyle
Multifamily Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2008 · 296 posts · 308 votes
2y

Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.

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  • Carini Rochester
    Investor · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 576 posts · 358 votes
    2y

    Section 8 inspections is why I quit trying for Section 8 tenants after only doing it once. I'm not sure yours is over zealous, maybe merely typical. Many on this site are worried about the Section 8 tenants, not me. I'm worried about the inspections. I think the house has to be selected with Section 8 in mind. Newer than the use of lead paint. Maintenance free exteriors. Durable, low maintenance interior finishes.

    4Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Brooke Park Drive · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    So rent to a normal instead of s8

    6Reply
  • Engelo RumoraBusiness Member
    Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Laurence K.:

    I have a house in Toledo, Ohio that I’m trying to get over the line with section 8 inspection.

    My contractor (who I know and trust) did significant work to ensure the house was up to code.

    The first scheduled inspection was cancelled by the inspector stating there were too many deficiencies, I endeavoured to reach out for details of the deficiencies but was met with silence and unable to get any info.

    The second inspection came back with a list of 18 items, some of which I consider petty, such as a small groundhog hole in the backyard.

    She is also asking for “Front attic window area and front fence needs a full house lead clearance examination by a licensed lead inspector “. This house HAS A CURRENT lead safe certificate issued by the Toledo Health Department. Is that demand even legal?



    Section 8 in Toledo = Disaster...

    Just my opinion.

    They don't like us and talk $#@% in us so I'm returning the favor hehe

    Much success
    Podcast Guest on Show #89
    Oz Realty4.5367 Reviews
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    2Reply
  • Ryan Pyle
    Multifamily Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2008 · 296 posts · 308 votes
    2y

    Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.

    7Reply
  • Engelo RumoraBusiness Member
    Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Ryan Pyle:

    Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.


     The Godfather of Toledo multifamily has spoken... 🙌

    Podcast Guest on Show #89
    Oz Realty4.5367 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Brooke Park Drive · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Engelo Rumora:
    Quote from @Ryan Pyle:

    Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.


     The Godfather of Toledo multifamily has spoken... 🙌


     Stewie Beal?

    1Reply
  • Engelo RumoraBusiness Member
    Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Account Closed:
    Quote from @Engelo Rumora:
    Quote from @Ryan Pyle:

    Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.


     The Godfather of Toledo multifamily has spoken... 🙌


     Stewie Beal?



    Ypsilanti 🤓
    Podcast Guest on Show #89
    Oz Realty4.5367 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Jackelyn Lee
    Property Manager · Toledo, OH · Member since 2021 · 58 posts · 92 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Ryan Pyle:

    Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.

    It’s true. We try so hard to make our properties wonderful and somehow they will still find BS. The whole process in Toledo needs a total overhaul. 
    1Reply
  • Engelo RumoraBusiness Member
    Investor · Toledo, OH · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jackelyn Lee:
    Quote from @Ryan Pyle:

    Rent to a market rate tenant. S8 in Toledo is not worth the trouble. Terrible communication.

    It’s true. We try so hard to make our properties wonderful and somehow they will still find BS. The whole process in Toledo needs a total overhaul. 

    If anyone should easily pass, it's you guys...

    Section 8 is a joke.

    Ok, I'm done before I get cancelled for discrimination haha 

    Podcast Guest on Show #89
    Oz Realty4.5367 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Bruce Lynn
    Real Estate Broker · Coppell, TX · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y

    Welcome to S8.  This is normal and customary and will happen every year, not just for movein.

    Not sure about gopher holes, but they have their list and they tend to enforce it.

    Good luck.

    1Reply
  • Christopher Sandys
    Member since 2023 · 92 posts · 60 votes
    1y

    My experience with Section 8 (LMHA) has been very positive.  I never have to chase people down for rent, and the annual inspections are practical and easy.

    This year (this month, actually) ... install CO detector and upgrade all of the smoke detectors to 10-year-permanent-battery models.  

    $100 and 1 hour of time.  The total inspection was professional and efficient.  

    The secret to my success ... I found a family that was on the waiting list for Section 8 for a long time.  They appreciate the preventive maintenance I put into the house, and they take care of my property.  Reciprocity - with the understanding that if things go south, I hold the option to not renew their lease.  

    0Reply
  • Christopher Sandys
    Member since 2023 · 92 posts · 60 votes
    3mo
    Quote from @Laurence K.:


    She is also asking for “Front attic window area and front fence needs a full house lead clearance examination by a licensed lead inspector “. This house HAS A CURRENT lead safe certificate issued by the Toledo Health Department. Is that demand even legal?

    I am lead risk assessor frequently performing clearance exams in Toledo, and I really do not understand what is being specified here.

    Unfortunately, the term Lead Clearance Exam has two, very-different meanings.
    1. A Lead Clearance Examination is performed to obtain a Lead Safe Certificate to comply with the Lead Safe Toledo ordinance.
    2. A Lead Clearance Examination can also be performed to verify that lead abatement work performed by an RRP-certified worker or a lead abatement contractor was properly performed and cleaned.  You will almost always do the RRP route unless you have a Lead Clearance Hazard Order (LCHO) on the house (in which case, the Health Dept is already involved, because there is a poisoned child).  If you have a LCHO then the process becomes very exact and very expensive.  

    Since the house already has a Toledo lead-safe cert, it must be definition two.

    What confuses me is what needs to be cleared.  The "full house" or the "Front attic window area and front fence?"  The implications and costs are vastly different.

    What is the reason the Section 8 inspector called-out those two areas?  Are the coated in massively deteriorating paint?  Perhaps what she is saying is that those two areas need to be addressed (again, via someone either licensed or by a RRP-certified person), and then a clearance exam needs to be performed to verify that the work was done adequately.  That's my best guess with the context provided.

    Alternatively, is the entire house a lead-wreck?  I have seen plenty of those. Maybe she is saying that despite having a lead-safe cert, she's not buying it and wants a second opinion.  Which inspector was it?

    I know this is a seasoned post, but if you still have questions, please reply with more details and I will do my best to answer.

    0Reply
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