I am renting my house to section 8 tenants. I want to request tenants to buy their own renters insurance. Could you please advice if it is okay for me to request section 8 tenants to buy renters’ insurance? Is it a legal thing to do? I will rent to the one who agree to buy their renters insurance. Want to know if I violate any regulation. Thanks in advance Jane

When you say 'request', it sound like you mean 'enforce'. In WI, I could make that request, but there'd be no way to actually enforce it. For instance, if they didn't get the renter's insurance, there's be no way for me to evict them on those grounds. Even if it was written into the lease, I suspect a judge would not grant that eviction. I'm not sure how you'd get a concrete answer on that item. Perhaps have a consult with a real estate attorney? You may be able to call around to real estate attorneys, tell them you're a landlord, and see if they can answer some questions for you. I've had good luck in my small town with getting help from attorneys like that. 

You could incentivize them with a discount on the rent. Let's say your rent for that unit is $500. You raise it to $515, but offer the discounted rent of $500 each month a current renter's insurance policy is shown (paid monthly, quarterly, yearly). I used $15 because that is a little more than most premiums for these types of policies that I have seen.

Why do you care if they have renters insurance. All it usually protects is their personal belongings. Welfare tenants don't usually own anything worth insuring. If they lose everything usually welfare organisations in to assist.

If anything you could require applicants to have liability insurance. It is simple to make that a condition of your lease, make it clear during your applicant screening, and require annual proof of renewal of the policy.

@Thomas S. The off the shelf renters policy is a package policy which includes personal liability in the states. Canada is a little different in that regard.

But the damage to the rented premise is very limited as it only covers fire, smoke and explosion as perils. So it’s certainly not a cure-all, but it does help recovery if they burn down your house.

We have many Section 8 portable housing voucher program tenants.  We treat them the same as any other tenant--renter's insurance is a requirement.  They must provide a binder at lease signing.  We are indemnified (additional insured) on that policy, and therefore we are notified if the policy should lapse.  IMO, so long as you require it of ALL tenants, it will not interfere with the Section 8 lease, at least that's how it is here in PA.

Originally posted by @Derek Lacy :

Thomas S. The off the shelf renters policy is a package policy which includes personal liability in the states. Canada is a little different in that regard.

But the damage to the rented premise is very limited as it only covers fire, smoke and explosion as perils. So it’s certainly not a cure-all, but it does help recovery if they burn down your house.

 Renter's insurance here (Canada) can include liability as well.  We require tenants with pets to carry liability coverage and a rider for pet damages.

@Roy N. The only pet damage covered on the US renters policy is damage to property other than the premises rented and bodily injury to third parties. But the dog chews up all of the trim, carpet and vinyl in the rented premise... not covered. Not even covered by the owners dwelling policy.

Originally posted by @Derek Lacy :

Roy N. The only pet damage covered on the US renters policy is damage to property other than the premises rented and bodily injury to third parties. But the dog chews up all of the trim, carpet and vinyl in the rented premise... not covered. Not even covered by the owners dwelling policy.

 Derek:

Being a somewhat less litigious society {for the moment}, I find our insurance coverage here at home (both "landlord" and tenant) to be broader, yet more affordable, than coverage on your side of the 49th.

Originally posted by @Marc Winter :

We have many Section 8 portable housing voucher program tenants.  We treat them the same as any other tenant--renter's insurance is a requirement.  They must provide a binder at lease signing.  We are indemnified (additional insured) on that policy, .......

If you asked them to do that you just screwed yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klLtS6kHaoQ 

@Ihe O.   thanks for clarification.  noted.