Is it illegal?

Question

I rent purely section 8.  I get alot of calls from my newspaper advertising and was wondering when i recieve these call can  I just blatantly and legally just ask if they have section8?  Reason being is the properties are strictly cashflow properties that I've spent lots of money to rehab.  I screen and have gotten very good sec8 tenants.  Market rents for these neighborhoods are less than sec8 pays.  People familiar with sec8 know that these tenants don't want to lose that voucher.  Other non sec8 really have nothing to lose and the law is not on myside so i would just rather avoid regular tenants.

Account Closed · Answer

I can't see any reason to refuse a non-section-8 tenant if they are willing to pay the higher rent and they pass your screening criteria.

Around here if you put "Section 8 accepted" into an ad, you would have to take the phone off the hook at night or you wouldn't get any sleep-- the phone would ring non-stop 24 hours a day.

If "non" tenants can get a house cheaper, you don't have to refuse them. They will automatically go elsewhere.

Eric Wang · Answer

In California, you treat everyone the same, everyone has fair opportunity.  The California Fair Housing Law is pretty strict.

Ralph S. · Answer

What Eric says is correct, just treat everyone the same.  Learn and understand the fair housing laws, too.  And, no, it is not illegal to ask, or even require Section 8 as a qualification to renting.  Being non-Section 8 is not, as they say, a protected class when it comes to fair housing laws.  Well, maybe in CA.....Check and learn, and be consistent, it's your best defense.