Why are you refusing section 8 vouchers?
Member since 2020 · 137 posts · 158 votes
I’ve just finished reading “The Color of Law” which is an eye opening look in to government sponsored segregation through housing policy. With section 8 being an actionable step in the right direction, why are some landlords refusing it? The inspections I’ve experienced look for things I’d demand for my family. The allowance for rent meets or sometimes exceeds market rent in my area. The tenants are often more qualified than market tenants. They often have incomes 6-8x their portion of the rent vs the 3x I typically require. Aside from places where vouchers don’t match market rent, why aren’t you taking section 8 tenants?
(1) Inspectors have to justify their job. So, they will always find something. One time, we showed them a recently renovated unit. They literally did not find a single thing wrong with the unit. But they dinged us on peeling paint on the wooden post as divider for the garden area. Remediation for that was easy enough. We just painted over it. But the point remains. You can give them a perfect unit and they will still find something wrong with it.
(2) Section 8 tenants are lazy and demanding. They will literally demand that you come out to press the reset button on the gfi.
(3) No accountability at all. Every section 8 tenant I have ever had ended up trashing the place. They also live in filthy conditions.
Sorry, will never do section 8 ever again. Too much of a headache dealing with this segment of the tenant pool.
Edit.
Section 8 tenants are kings and queens of the learned helplessness examples. They never ever want to improve their lives. The tragic thing is they pass this learned helplessness onto their children. It's sad to watch them not able to do the simplest things. They don't even have the common sense for the simplest things.
For example, one time they poured grease down the drain and clogged it. They told us the kitchen sink was clogged. When I got there, the kitchen was semi-flooded. Why? Because they continued to use the sink anyway and it was overflowing onto the kitchen floor. Honestly, do you really want to deal with people like this? I was going to say they are dumber than rocks but I'm sure social justice warriors on here will kill me over it. But how would you describe people who continue to use the kitchen sink that was clogged even though it was flooding the kitchen floor?
Honestly it sounds like the poster is trying to start some kind of political argument. Section 8 has it's positives and negatives, any real estate investor should be aware of this already, acting like it's all roses is a bit ridiculous.
This has nothing to do with starting a political debate. It has to do with starting a discussion. I feel certain that, much like myself, many of you aren’t aware of all the previous injustices done in housing. Anyone who knows me would expect me to make all the same statements seen in other comments. After reading this book, I’ve come to realize that the problems are greater than I had imagined. It goes far beyond calling someone lazy and assuming they could easily do better. I realize in the context of a forum it’s hard to fully understand, but if you knew me you’d know that I am absolutely an advocate for working hard and helping yourself over handouts. I simply think there is a case for public assistance far greater than what I had previously believed. You’re welcome to disagree and I’m most certainly NOT here for a political debate. Regardless of your thoughts on section 8, I’d encourage you to check out that book. It was eye opening to say the least.
Whats the name of the book?
The Color of Law
I'd rather rent to a hardworking undocumented immigrant that's working hard.
As someone said, section 8 rabbit hole.
Sounds like you only rent to your kind
yeah, minority , immigrant and refugee LOL