Hey folks. I specialize in renting to Section 8 (BRHP) in nicer areas of Baltimore County and noticing significantly deteriorated tenant quality. Especially since Covid. There is barely a voucher holder applicant with a clean background. All of them have Failure to Pays and other drama. Are other fellow landlords and property managers seeing the same?
@Ken Chud, I totally get where you're coming from. Many landlords, especially those participating in Section 8 programs like the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership (BRHP), have noted a decline in tenant quality over the last few years, particularly since COVID-19. The pandemic has created new challenges, not only for tenants but also for property owners managing housing programs. Background checks revealing failure-to-pays or past evictions have become more common, and you're not alone in seeing this trend in Baltimore County.
One major reason for the deterioration in tenant quality could be the backlog in processing housing assistance applications and increased financial strain caused by COVID-19. Some tenants are struggling to catch up on rent, which has been exacerbated by the expiration of federal eviction moratoriums and local rental assistance programs. According to data from the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, demand for vouchers remains high, and resources are stretched thin. The increased pressure on the housing market may mean landlords see a greater number of applicants with difficult rental histories.
However, all is not lost. Baltimore County has several landlord support programs to help manage this issue, such as the Landlord Leasing Incentive(HABC). Additionally, you might want to consider working closely with your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to screen applicants more thoroughly or negotiate higher payment standards for better tenant placements.
PS: Something that may help you: Baltimore recently passed the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which aims to strengthen renters' rights and provide better engagement between landlords and tenants. This might create new opportunities for tenant stability down the road!
@Ken Chud, I totally get where you're coming from. Many landlords, especially those participating in Section 8 programs like the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership (BRHP), have noted a decline in tenant quality over the last few years, particularly since COVID-19. The pandemic has created new challenges, not only for tenants but also for property owners managing housing programs. Background checks revealing failure-to-pays or past evictions have become more common, and you're not alone in seeing this trend in Baltimore County.
One major reason for the deterioration in tenant quality could be the backlog in processing housing assistance applications and increased financial strain caused by COVID-19. Some tenants are struggling to catch up on rent, which has been exacerbated by the expiration of federal eviction moratoriums and local rental assistance programs. According to data from the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, demand for vouchers remains high, and resources are stretched thin. The increased pressure on the housing market may mean landlords see a greater number of applicants with difficult rental histories.
However, all is not lost. Baltimore County has several landlord support programs to help manage this issue, such as the Landlord Leasing Incentive(HABC). Additionally, you might want to consider working closely with your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to screen applicants more thoroughly or negotiate higher payment standards for better tenant placements.
PS: Something that may help you: Baltimore recently passed the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which aims to strengthen renters' rights and provide better engagement between landlords and tenants. This might create new opportunities for tenant stability down the road!
Thank you for your response but not sure how Baltimore City Housing Office's incentive or Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Right can mitigate subpar tenant quality to a landlord. A double security deposit can. Are you a landlord or tenants rights advocate?Covid emergency has officially ended but for some reason there is more applicants with bad rental histories that are begging for fresh start. One thing is when they dont pay their rent before receiving a voucher but it is different from defaulting while being assisted and having resources at their disposal. Some of these people are defaulting on very small rent portions.
@Ken Chud thanks for your thoughtful reply. I understand your concern-policies like the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) don’t directly tackle the immediate issue of tenant quality. The Act, signed into law in October 2023, is more about empowering renters by giving them a chance to buy their rental properties when the landlord decides to sell. It’s not intended to address tenant screening or defaulting issues, and I can see why it might not seem relevant to your concerns about tenant behavior and payment habits
To answer your question,I fully own a couple of companies and hold partial ownership in others with real estate portfolios totaling over $100 million in market value, but I try to keep an open mind and learn from both sides-whether it's through advocating for better tenant practices or working with property managers. You're spot on about security deposits being a practical tool to mitigate risk, especially with applicants who have checkered rental histories. Doubling up on deposits or requiring larger deposits might weed out some of the riskier tenants upfront, though it's not always a foolproof solution, especially in markets where affordable housing is tight.
Regarding your point about double security deposits, you're absolutely right-this can be an effective strategy. However, the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 now caps security deposits in Maryland at one month's rent in most cases, limiting landlords' ability to require higher deposits for higher-risk tenants. This change makes it harder to use large deposits as a protective measure, which might explain part of the difficulty landlords are facing in managing tenant risk.
As for the post-COVID surge in applicants with problematic rental histories, many landlords across Baltimore have noted similar patterns. The pandemic disrupted rental payments and financial stability for many, even among those who are now back on housing assistance programs. I’ve seen landlords who handle this by requiring tenants to show commitment through actions like attending financial literacy programs before lease renewal, which could help mitigate some of the risks.
PS: If you haven’t already, consider working with local organizations that offer financial literacy workshops for tenants as part of lease conditions. It’s gaining traction in some areas as a proactive approach to stabilize tenant behavior and reduce defaults.
@Ken Chud thanks for your thoughtful reply. I understand your concern-policies like the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) don’t directly tackle the immediate issue of tenant quality. The Act, signed into law in October 2023, is more about empowering renters by giving them a chance to buy their rental properties when the landlord decides to sell. It’s not intended to address tenant screening or defaulting issues, and I can see why it might not seem relevant to your concerns about tenant behavior and payment habits
To answer your question,I fully own a couple of companies and hold partial ownership in others with real estate portfolios totaling over $100 million in market value, but I try to keep an open mind and learn from both sides-whether it's through advocating for better tenant practices or working with property managers. You're spot on about security deposits being a practical tool to mitigate risk, especially with applicants who have checkered rental histories. Doubling up on deposits or requiring larger deposits might weed out some of the riskier tenants upfront, though it's not always a foolproof solution, especially in markets where affordable housing is tight.
Regarding your point about double security deposits, you're absolutely right-this can be an effective strategy. However, the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 now caps security deposits in Maryland at one month's rent in most cases, limiting landlords' ability to require higher deposits for higher-risk tenants. This change makes it harder to use large deposits as a protective measure, which might explain part of the difficulty landlords are facing in managing tenant risk.
As for the post-COVID surge in applicants with problematic rental histories, many landlords across Baltimore have noted similar patterns. The pandemic disrupted rental payments and financial stability for many, even among those who are now back on housing assistance programs. I’ve seen landlords who handle this by requiring tenants to show commitment through actions like attending financial literacy programs before lease renewal, which could help mitigate some of the risks.
PS: If you haven’t already, consider working with local organizations that offer financial literacy workshops for tenants as part of lease conditions. It’s gaining traction in some areas as a proactive approach to stabilize tenant behavior and reduce defaults.