Section 8 renters, can they be chosen?

Question

I am looking at a property to purchase. I have a family member who is on section 8 in New Jersey.  Would I be able to get this family members section 8 to pay her rent if I rent her the property? Or when you put your property up for section 8, they send you whoever they want?

Kyle J. · Answer

This is really two separate questions:

1)  To answer the question you asked, yes....you get to choose your tenant.

2)  To answer the question you didn’t ask, which is can you rent to a Section 8 tenant who is a family member, the answer is....maybe. It depends on the relationship of the family member. It’s generally prohibited for the property owner to be a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother to anyone in the Section 8 tenant’s household.

Scott Weaner · Answer

Renting to a family member has its own hazards.

Brian Garlington · Answer

@Juan Muniz

You can choose your tenant. Thank Goodness!!!   That's what i've done

Juan Muniz · Answer

Not a blood relative. It is inlaw. Thanks for the info. Yes, that was my question. She is on section 8, and wanted to get her in a better home than she is now. So my concern was that you could not pick and choose a specific person.

Brian Garlington · Answer

As a previous poster just mentioned "doing business" with family can make things challenging.  Make absolutely sure you have them sign a lease, just like any other tenant and hold them to it.

Think long and hard about renting to family. If market rent is $1,000 a month but family says rent to me for $850 a month.....you are missin out on income.

Jonathan Herron · Answer

@Juan Muniz you can choose your tenant.  Section 8 does limit some of your rights as a landlord.  Before entering a lease it is important you learn everything you can to be sure you don't violate any laws or regulations.

Section 8 renters, can they be chosen?

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