Where to find section 8 tenants?

Question

I have looked at gosection8.com but they charge over $350/yr for their premium service to find potential tenants. Is there another way I can find a large pool of section 8 tenants without paying any agency or 3rd party? I have a home in winter haven,fl and I am searching for a tenant but the fmr in the area is around $650, while section 8 can pay slightly more and I will be guaranteed the rent.

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

You don't need to find Section 8 tenants, if you advertise your rental on Craigslist with RENT ASSISTANCE ACCEPTED in the subject line then they will find YOU.

Rob K. · Answer

I've had good luck finding Section 8 renters by advertising in the tiny newspaper that comes in the mail every week. There's a paper in my area that hits the mailbox every Wednesday, whether you want it or not. An ad costs $21. If it says "Section 8 ok", you will get a lot of calls. If your area has a paper like that, I highly recommend it.

Remember, many (I would say all) of these people are lazy. They might not put forth much effort to find a place. If you can land in their mailbox, you have a good chance.

Steve Babiak · Answer

Just go down to the Housing Authority office, and tell them you have a rental that's available for their voucher holders.  They might even let you post it on the bulletin board there.

Michael Lauther · Answer

Christian Podedworny I have used the free portion of gosection8.com and have had more responses than I can handle but be aware that programs and availability vary and my Section 8 rentals are all in Dayton OH. NY may be much different than OH.

Ben Skove · Answer

While I haven't accepted section 8 tenants at this point, voucher holders had no trouble finding me from my posts on craigslist, postlets, zillow, and the like.

If you are new to Section 8, you need to familiarize yourself with the program, and particularly your local housing authority.

Some useful past threads (many, many more by plugging "section 8" into the search box at the top of the page):

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/7/27/section-8-rentals-advantages/

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/8/10/disadvantages-section-8-rentals/

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/57420-section-8

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/82609-section-8-viability

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/89149-to-section-8-or-not-to-section-8

Deborah Saddler · Answer

Christian Podedworny, People that are on section 8 are always looking for a place to stay, so I would say put an ad on Craigslist and other renter sites, also put an ad in your local paper, and you can check with section 8 without paying for their service.  Put out flyers at the local section 8 office.  That should get you lots of applicants.

Account Closed · Answer

Back in my Sec 8 days, I loved going to the local churches in the area of Dallas I used to rent in.  I would offer the preachers 25% of one months rent as a donation to the church if he found me a good "deserving" tenant.  For the 5 years I held the houses, I only had 1 go south, and that wasn't the tenant, it was her baby daddy who thought I was trying to hook up with her... As I was replacing a water heater nonetheless... I was also good at keeping the HUD office fed with donuts delivered from the local donut shop, listing my company's name as the sender.  That got me a lot of great tenants, and made my life easier when it came to dealing with the office personnel.  Food is the business tool for success!

David Krulac · Answer

Christian Podedworny

In your Craigslist ad, put "SECTION 8 OK" in the headline/title, you'll get more Section 8 applicants that you'll know what to do with.

Also put that tag line on your signs, your newspaper ad (what's that?), flyers and every piece of advertisement you do.

Mike Nelson · Answer

I agree on posting on Craigslist. Specify and highlight that you are okay to Section 8 tenants.

Dave Carpenter · Answer

Eliza Blue - the idea of going to visit a future tenants current rental is great idea I had never considered. even seeing it from the outside would likely speak volumes. Are the blinds all cracked and broken, is there garbage in the yard, or do they have well maintained plants in the windows.

Asking to speak with them and even see the inside of the building would speak to their habits and lifestyle that much more!

Where to find section 8 tenants?

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