First time landlord Renting to Section 8

Columbus, Ohio
General Landlording & Rental Properties
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First time landlord Renting to Section 8

Megan Tyberg
Member since 2024 · 23 posts · 55 votes

I bought my first 4 unit investment property in Columbus OH. All units are occupied except one which I am working on leasing out now. A potential section 8 tenant applied today who is unemployed, with $5K in collections from various companies and a 580 credit score. My PM said not to worry because the government pays his rent, but I am concerned that he has no job and makes $900/month in SSI. I thought the tenant still needs to pay a portion of the rent himself? 

Is this profile typical with all section 8 tenants? I would really prefer a section 8 tenant that is employed with little to no debt (that is in collections). What other things should I be looking for?

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Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
[email protected]614-490-1163
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  • Alex LawsonPro Member
    Investor · Columbus GA · Member since 2021 · 18 posts · 14 votes
    10mo
    About 20% of my tenants have their rent rent covered 100% by section 8. I rarely have problems from them. The only negative is when a tenant cause issue arises they can’t pay for the repair. I had a tenant break their stove door and they could afford the repair. We replaced the stove and billed it to them. If they don’t pay it will come out of the security deposit. I wouldn’t be worried about 100% I find it better actually!
    1Reply
    • John UnderwoodPro Member
      Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Alex Lawson:
      About 20% of my tenants have their rent rent covered 100% by section 8. I rarely have problems from them. The only negative is when a tenant cause issue arises they can’t pay for the repair. I had a tenant break their stove door and they could afford the repair. We replaced the stove and billed it to them. If they don’t pay it will come out of the security deposit. I wouldn’t be worried about 100% I find it better actually!

       Section 8 tenants also tend to stay a long time. I too have had good experience with them. My section 8 office is covering damages after a tenant moved out after 5 years. You would be stuck with this bill for a regular tenant.

      0Reply
  • Parris Taylor
    Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2025 · 92 posts · 71 votes
    10mo

    @Megan Tyberg It all depends. This screams atypical.

    You (or your PM) need to figure out his rent split. Ask his caseworker what's the HAP portion vs tenant portion. 

    Screen S8 tenants based on: past landlord reference (Did he pay? Any lease violations?), unit care (Was damage tenant-caused or normal wear?), behavior (Did he allow access, respond, follow rules?), case manager responsiveness (A good one makes your life easy, a bad one is pain).

    Make sure your PM knows how to pre-inspect and submit paperwork fast. Otherwise, you will eat 4–8 weeks of vacancy waiting on inspections. 

    1Reply
  • Remington LymanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    10mo
    Quote from @Megan Tyberg:

    I bought my first 4 unit investment property in Columbus OH. All units are occupied except one which I am working on leasing out now. A potential section 8 tenant applied today who is unemployed, with $5K in collections from various companies and a 580 credit score. My PM said not to worry because the government pays his rent, but I am concerned that he has no job and makes $900/month in SSI. I thought the tenant still needs to pay a portion of the rent himself? 

    Is this profile typical with all section 8 tenants? I would really prefer a section 8 tenant that is employed with little to no debt (that is in collections). What other things should I be looking for?


     If he is on 100% voucher I would take him in as long as he passes your other screening requirments. I would take a look at the inside of his car. Chances are that is what you unit is going to look like when they leave

    [email protected]614-541-8475Podcast Guest on Show My Job Laid Me Off, So I Replaced My Salary with Rentals
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    • Megan Tyberg
      OP
      Member since 2024 · 23 posts · 55 votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Remington Lyman:
      Quote from @Megan Tyberg:

      I bought my first 4 unit investment property in Columbus OH. All units are occupied except one which I am working on leasing out now. A potential section 8 tenant applied today who is unemployed, with $5K in collections from various companies and a 580 credit score. My PM said not to worry because the government pays his rent, but I am concerned that he has no job and makes $900/month in SSI. I thought the tenant still needs to pay a portion of the rent himself? 

      Is this profile typical with all section 8 tenants? I would really prefer a section 8 tenant that is employed with little to no debt (that is in collections). What other things should I be looking for?


       If he is on 100% voucher I would take him in as long as he passes your other screening requirments. I would take a look at the inside of his car. Chances are that is what you unit is going to look like when they leave


       According to my PM, apparently we won't know how much his portion will be until we accept him and send the paperwork to CMHA which seems odd. It's important I know he can afford his portion BEFORE I accept him as a tenant? Also, the 3 addresses he has provided as his past residences are in 3 different states. If he is unemployed and on section 8, why and how does he keep moving to a different state? This just seems odd 

      0Reply
    • Remington LymanBusiness Member
      Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
      10mo
      Quote from @Megan Tyberg:
      Quote from @Remington Lyman:
      Quote from @Megan Tyberg:

      I bought my first 4 unit investment property in Columbus OH. All units are occupied except one which I am working on leasing out now. A potential section 8 tenant applied today who is unemployed, with $5K in collections from various companies and a 580 credit score. My PM said not to worry because the government pays his rent, but I am concerned that he has no job and makes $900/month in SSI. I thought the tenant still needs to pay a portion of the rent himself? 

      Is this profile typical with all section 8 tenants? I would really prefer a section 8 tenant that is employed with little to no debt (that is in collections). What other things should I be looking for?


       If he is on 100% voucher I would take him in as long as he passes your other screening requirments. I would take a look at the inside of his car. Chances are that is what you unit is going to look like when they leave


       According to my PM, apparently we won't know how much his portion will be until we accept him and send the paperwork to CMHA which seems odd. It's important I know he can afford his portion BEFORE I accept him as a tenant? Also, the 3 addresses he has provided as his past residences are in 3 different states. If he is unemployed and on section 8, why and how does he keep moving to a different state? This just seems odd 


       That does not seem right. They should know what percentage voucher they have

      [email protected]614-541-8475Podcast Guest on Show My Job Laid Me Off, So I Replaced My Salary with Rentals
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  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10mo
    Quote from @Megan Tyberg:

    I bought my first 4 unit investment property in Columbus OH. All units are occupied except one which I am working on leasing out now. A potential section 8 tenant applied today who is unemployed, with $5K in collections from various companies and a 580 credit score. My PM said not to worry because the government pays his rent, but I am concerned that he has no job and makes $900/month in SSI. I thought the tenant still needs to pay a portion of the rent himself? 

    Is this profile typical with all section 8 tenants? I would really prefer a section 8 tenant that is employed with little to no debt (that is in collections). What other things should I be looking for?

    Hey Lolo, and welcome to BP! It’s totally fair to be cautious with a Section 8 applicant, especially when you’re new to that program. It’s true that the government guarantees a portion of the rent, but tenants almost always pay part of it themselves—how much depends on their income and local housing authority rules. Someone making $900/month in SSI would likely have a small tenant-paid portion, but it’s important to verify that directly with the housing authority before signing anything. Credit scores and collections aren’t uncommon with Section 8 tenants, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’ll be bad renters—what matters most is whether they’ve been responsible with previous housing and if the program has had issues with them in the past. Ask for landlord references, check eviction history, and see how responsive they are during the application process. I’ve had great Section 8 tenants here in Columbus who take care of the property and pay on time, but screening carefully (and trusting your gut) goes a long way. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

    [email protected]614-300-7535
    Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews
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  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 910 votes
    10mo

    @Megan Tyberg

    Totally normal to feel cautious here, but Section 8 varies a lot depending on the tenant’s voucher and portion. Some tenants pay $0 out of pocket and the housing authority covers the full amount, others pay a small portion, so you just need to confirm what their actual tenant portion would be. Credit and job history matter less with vouchers

    [email protected]614-418-6081
    1Reply
  • Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    Ask the housing authority for the exact rent breakdown so you know how much the tenant is responsible for. Then verify rental history, landlord references, and how long they stayed at their last place. Focus less on the credit score and more on whether they’ve been a stable, clean, and respectful tenant.

    [email protected]614-490-1163
    Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate539 Reviews
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    2Reply
  • Kerlous TadresBusiness Member
    Realtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo
    [email protected]614-490-1163
    Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate539 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo
    Quote from @Megan Tyberg:

    I bought my first 4 unit investment property in Columbus OH. All units are occupied except one which I am working on leasing out now. A potential section 8 tenant applied today who is unemployed, with $5K in collections from various companies and a 580 credit score. My PM said not to worry because the government pays his rent, but I am concerned that he has no job and makes $900/month in SSI. I thought the tenant still needs to pay a portion of the rent himself? 

    Is this profile typical with all section 8 tenants? I would really prefer a section 8 tenant that is employed with little to no debt (that is in collections). What other things should I be looking for?


     You'll need to factor in the rental history of the tenant. Some section 8 tenants have a steady income too. Doing a background check is really important

    [email protected]614-363-2787
    Marc Rice | Investor Friendly Agent at Reafco Tailwind Team574 Reviews
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