Insurance and tenants questions in NC

[Huiping S.]

We will close a duplex in NC very soon and few questions want to hear landlord folks to share some valuable experience.

1) Insurance: one insurance company agreed and then changed their opinion by asking us does this duplex has a 6-8 inch concrete wall between units. The inspector said: No, that is a new code since 2006. So the insurance change from a home insurance to a rental insurance (owner will live in one unit and second unit has a tenant) and the priced increased more than $100. To avoid the delay for closing, we mostly will use this insurance and then change. Which insurance company NC landlord are using and like it?

2) For a SFR we plan to rent out. A lady with 5 kids are living in hotel and asked us will we consider section 8. She said she already got permission on her hands from government. Does section 8 is a protected thing like other fair house law? Should landlord have background, credit check for section 8 applicants? Where to find the specific guideline for section 8 as landlord.

Thanks for sharing!