Rent Amount for Section 8

[Donna Hutchinson]

I am in the process of renting a property using Section 8.  I am asking for $1295 in rent however the housing authority approved $1223 although the Zillow estimate is $1295.  Can I challenge this?  If not, can I charge the tenant the difference?  If I can charge the tenant the difference, do I need to draft an agreement between myself and the tenant?  Thanks

[Kyle J.]

Unfortunately, the Housing Authority doesn't care what Zillow says, and you cannot enter into a side agreement with the tenant.  That is strictly forbidden and could get you kicked out of the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) if the Housing Authority were to find out.  

Your contract with HUD will likely say something along the lines of "The rent to the owner may not exceed the amount approved in accordance with with HUD requirements". Additionally, I also had to sign a separate certification that stated "I understand that it is illegal to charge any additional amounts which have not been specifically approved by the Housing Authority."